Reflections on Participatory Action Research: The Case of Low-Income Women Accessing Local Physical Activity services

Abstract

In contrast to traditional approaches to research, participatory action research calls for the active involvement of the community—including both the beneficiaries and providers of sport services—in defining research problems, executing interventions, interpreting results, and designing strategies to change existing power structures. The purpose of this paper was to analyze a participatory action research project designed to increase the access of women living below the poverty line and their families to local physical activity services. A framework developed by Green et al. (1995) formed the basis of the analysis. To place the analysis in context, the historical origins and theoretical assumptions underlying participatory action research were addressed. The case of the Women's Action Project demonstrated how the process can result in a more inclusive local sport system and, at the same time, provide a rich setting for examining organizational dynamics including collaborative decision-making, community partnerships, power imbalances, resource control, resistance to change, and nonhierarchical structures.

The organizational dynamics of under‐managed partnerships in leisure service departments

“…If the values of partners are incompatible, it may be preferable not to engage in some partnerships rather than risk compromising public sector values. For example, if leisure service departments place high value on making their programmes accessible to all citizens, charging fees and raising prices so that commercial sector partners can achieve their profit making goals would reduce rather than increase accessibility, thus compromising departmental values (Frisby et al, 1997).…”

“…In some municipalities, political forces favouring local economic growth with limited or no tax increases has accompanied this ideological shift. At the same time, there is growing demand for a broader range of leisure services from demographically diverse populations, creating additional and contradictory pressures on leisure service departments (Frisby et al, 1997).…”

Gender and Sex Diversity in Sport Organizations: Introduction to a Special Issue

“…This is true for both men and women and holds across different races, ethnicities, ages, religions, and abilities (Hearn and Collinson 2006; see also Frisby et al 1997). Various legal mandates, such as Title VII and Title IX, have brought about substantial changes to the sport landscape over the past 40 years.…”

‘A new view of body image’: A school-based participatory action research project with young Aboriginal women

“…Reflecting on their PAR project with low-income women, Frisby et al (1997) explained how Green et al's (1995) model for participatory research in health promotion was a useful framework for developing and evaluating their participatory action project. Frisby et al recognized the "user-friendly format" of this model, yet they also highlighted aspects of the model that could be strengthened.…”

“…Similar to Frisby et al (1997), it was important to have a plan as to how the research process would unfold, and the process outlined by Stringer and Genat seemed to be most consistent with the research that I had proposed to do. Despite having a plan, I…”