Participatory Action Research Merit Consulting

Summary

Research is a powerful tool for creating knowledge and informing decisions, but its impact can be negative if communities feel exploited. Participatory Action Research (PAR) offers a solution by involving community members as active participants in the research process. Instead of research being done on the community, it is done with them. PAR aims to generate actionable insights that directly benefit the community, ensuring that the research is both relevant and empowering. Merit Consulting specializes in participatory research and evaluation, focused on collaborative, community-driven solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research is viewed differently by people: some see it as a tool for better decision-making, while others feel it may exploit communities.
• 😀 The main goal of research should be to create knowledge that helps build better programs and informs decisions for the benefit of communities.
• 😀 Participatory Action Research (PAR) is a model that includes community members as active participants in the research process.
• 😀 Unlike traditional research, PAR involves the community in the design, data collection, and analysis of the study.
• 😀 In PAR, the research team works with the community, rather than conducting research *on* them.
• 😀 Community members play a crucial role in shaping the research by deciding what data to collect and how to do so.
• 😀 PAR aims to produce actionable insights that lead to tangible benefits for the community.
• 😀 The goal of PAR is not just to learn new information, but to implement actions that will improve the community.
• 😀 In PAR, the community helps hold the academic researchers accountable to the needs and priorities of the community.
• 😀 Participatory Action Research is designed to create knowledge that is relevant and beneficial to the community, ensuring that research has a meaningful impact.
• 😀 At Merit Consulting, participatory collaborative research and evaluation is a key approach to ensure community-engaged knowledge creation.

Q & A

What is the general perception of research as mentioned in the script?

Research is perceived in different ways; some see it as a valuable tool for creating knowledge that informs decision-making and helps communities thrive. Others view it skeptically, feeling that research, especially when conducted on a community, can exploit or take advantage of that community.

What is the main concern about research in communities?

The main concern is that research, although it promises to help communities, may not actually provide any benefit. Instead, it can leave the community feeling exploited or taken advantage of.

What is the proposed solution to address the issues with traditional research?

The solution is Participatory Action Research (PAR), which involves community members directly in the research process and ensures that the research benefits the community.

How does Participatory Action Research (PAR) differ from traditional research?

PAR differs in two key ways: first, it includes community members as part of the research team, conducting research with, rather than on, the community. Second, the goal is to produce actionable knowledge designed by the community to benefit them.

What role do community members play in Participatory Action Research?

Community members are active participants in deciding how to collect data, what data to collect, and may assist in outreach and data analysis. They also help hold academic researchers accountable to the community.

What is the goal of Participatory Action Research?

The goal is to generate knowledge that leads to community-driven action designed to benefit the community. This ensures that the research is relevant and impactful for the people involved.

Why is accountability important in Participatory Action Research?

Accountability is important because it ensures that the academic researchers remain responsible to the community they are working with. This prevents exploitation and ensures that the research truly serves the community's needs.

How is Participatory Action Research beneficial to communities?

PAR is beneficial because it empowers communities by involving them in the research process, ensuring the research addresses real issues and leads to tangible actions that improve the community.

How does Participatory Action Research contribute to the field of research?

PAR contributes by offering a model of community-engaged knowledge that prioritizes the community’s needs and ensures that research outcomes lead to action and positive change.

What type of research does Merit Consulting specialize in?

Merit Consulting specializes in participatory and collaborative research and evaluation, aligning with the principles of Participatory Action Research to ensure community relevance and engagement.