Participatory action research: Practical strategies for actively engaging participation

Background/Purpose: PAR is a combination of community participation and research that acknowledges, and uses, the insights and abilities of community members to resolve issues they have identified as salient. Methods: A qualitative research design, with data gathered through focus group interviews, was employed to examine the PAR process as experienced by the community members. Consistent with the four tenets of PAR, focus group discussions were guided by questions about participation, learning, empowerment, and social action within the project. Results/Outcomes: The findings reveal that the kernel for wanting to participate is determined by the opportunities presented by and within a project, with the value of these opportunities determined by an individual's interests, culture, and traditions. Once an individual becomes involved with the project, the real and perceived opportunities need to be actualized to support further involvement. Participants involved in the project gain confidence by having their internal knowledge validated (the knowledge they bring to the initiative), by learning and practicing new skills (the knowledge they gain due to their involvement), and by witnessing small changes in other participants and themselves. These experiences stimulate further involvement and lead to a sense of personal empowerment. After a few cycles of learning, practicing, and observing change participants began advocating for change. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need to incorporate the diversity of cultures into programs and initiatives. While the factors inspiring participation are not universal overarching similarities between cultures do exist in the factors that maintain participation.