Participatory Action Research RCS 6740 6/16/04

What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)? The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has proposed the following working definition: Participatory Action Research (PAR) recognizes the need for persons being studied to participate in the design and conduct of all phases (e.g., design, execution, and dissemination) of the research that affects them. PAR is an approach or strategy for research and not a methodology. Why is this both important and beneficial?

PAR and Validity PAR can be used to enhance validity: Construct validity: PAR can increased construct validity by involving participants in development – PAR can increase the degree to which the measures capture the construct of interest. This is particularly important when doing research with culturally diverse populations, because terms of interest in research (e.g., disability) may vary in their cultural meanings. (e.g., pages 897-903 of DSM-IV)

PAR and Validity Cont. Statistical conclusion Validity: Intervention effectiveness can be enhanced by involving potential consumers and practitioners in development – increasing intervention effectiveness increases effect size and statistical power. External validity: The use of PAR in planning sampling strategies can increase response rates – endorsement and assistance in recruitment from consumer organizations.

PAR and Validity Other threats to validity can be reduced through the involvement of both consumers and practitioners in research planning – people who are close to the interventions or phenomena being studied can often generate alternative explanations (i.e., threats to validity) that might otherwise be overlooked. These threats can be tested by inclusion of additional variables in the research design. (e.g., somatic effects of stroke).

Using PAR When using PAR, it is important to: identify the relevant stakeholders for a particular study. seek and enlist members of the stakeholder groups who can make valuable contributions. continue to evaluate the participatory process against requirements for utility and validity. attend to the research design. attend to validity and reliability of instrumentation. Also remember that involving consumers does not automatically guarantee that the involved constructs are clearly defined, represented adequately in the instrument, and reliable.

Cautions when Using PAR Not all informants provide information and ideas of equal value. Participation is a process that cannot be imposed. The challenge of action research is to “define and meet the standards of appropriate rigor without sacrificing relevance.”

Replicating PAR Recall the importance of replication to the advancement of science. Each study, including those using PAR, has its own inherent flaws. Replication is vital to the further definition of phenomena of interest. Quantitative Research: Limit threats to validity through careful design. Qualitative Research: Carefully choose the design and data collection procedures.

Reporting Results of PAR Tailor dissemination to specific audiences. Scholarly audience: use the appropriate scientific approach, detailing methodology, results, and threats to validity. Consumer and practitioner audience: focus on utility and the frame of reference of the audience. Hybrid articles generally do not adequately serve any of the stakeholders.

Final Thoughts on PAR Open discussion of PAR (Benefits, additional cautions, advocacy issues, the readings on PAR, the weather)