Participatory Action Research (PAR) is an approach to enquiry which has been used since the 1940s. It involves researchers and participants working together to understand a problematic situation and change it for the better. There are many definitions of the approach, which share some common elements. PAR focuses on social change that promotes democracy and challenges inequality; is context-specific, often targeted on the needs of a particular group; is an iterative cycle of research, action and reflection; and often seeks to ‘liberate’ participants to have a greater awareness of their situation in order to take action. PAR uses a range of different methods, both qualitative and quantitative.

1. PARTICIPATORY ACTION
RESEARCH
BY: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
HEALTH SERVICES COORDINATOR
PCPD,INC.-HRDP III -SPUP

2. “It is estimated that four out of five people are not
involved in any activity with real potential for
growth. This is one of the roots of Philippines’
problems. If those people could be brought into
development, living standards would rise, the
growth rate could be raised to a steady 8 or 9
percent by the end of the decade. And as income
would be better distributed the home markets
would gather strength.”
- John Cole, Ranis Report from The Poor Of The Earth
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

3. PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
Involves investigation of problems and issues concerning the life and environment of the
underprivileged, by way of research collaboration with the underprivileged themselves
Their representatives participate in the actual research as researchers themselves,
doing research on their own problems
The objective is to increase awareness of the people’s suffering, develop the
people’s competence for changing their own situation and helping in organization-
building by harnessing both human and natural resources in responding to
community needs (PCPD, 1990)
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

4. PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
It is a community-directed process of gathering and
analyzing information on an issue for the process of
taking action and making changes (Pertners in Action
Research, 1997)
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

5. PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
The essential element
of PAR is
PARTICIPATION.
The beneficiaries of
the research are the
main actors in the
research process.
It enables the
community to
experience a collective
consciousness of their
own situations
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

6. PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
PAR involves:
• Research
• Education
• Action
To empower people to
determine the cause
of their problems,
analyze these
problems and act, by
themselves in
responding to their
own problems
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

7. PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
There is an OUTSIDE RESEARCHER , a professional,
who, through immersion and integration in the
community, becomes a committed participant and
learner in the community.
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

8. CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL AND
PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH
(FROM PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH TRAINING SERIES, 1997)
TRADITIONAL PAR
1. Research has the purpose of identifying and
meeting individual needs within existing social
system.
1. Research seeks social transformation.
2. Community problems or needs are defined by
experts or researchers external to the community
group and considered neutral and non-biased.
2. The research problems are defined by the
community members themselves who are viewed
as “experts of their own reality”
3. The research problem is studied by the
researchers who control the research process.
3. The community groups undertakes the
investigation or research process from the data
collection to analysis. External researchers work
alongside the community group.
4. Recommendations for the community are based
on the researchers’ findings and analysis.
4. The community formulates recommendations
and an action plan based on research outcome.
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.

9. METHODOLOGY IN PAR
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.
It is determined by the local culture and innovativeness of
the people.
The method of data collection is discussion among villagers
and direct observation jointly made by the community
members and the researchers.

10. RESULT OF THE STUDY IN PAR
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.
They are within the
control of the
people.
The people become
aware of the issues
and problems that
affect them.
The people are
more capable of
changing their
situation.

11. PARTICIPANTS IN PAR
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.
The outside researcher is a professional who is committed and a learner.
As a learner, he/she is active rather than detached.
He/she goes into an immersion and integration in the community
He/she shares his/her research knowledge to encourage genuine participation, but
would never assume a paternalistic, authoritarian attitude. Instead, he/she leaves the
application of that knowledge to the people of the community.

12. THE LOCAL RESEARCHER AND THE COMMUNITY
Reference: Jimenez, C. (2008). Community Organizing-Participatory Action Research For Community Health
Development. Quezon City, Philippines: C and E Publishing, Inc.
THE LOCAL RESEARCHERS:
They are trained in the process of research.
They are made aware of the needs of their people and are committed to
do something about them.
They elicit active participation from community members during collective
data gathering, data analysis, and program planning and implementation.
They are the link between the community and the outside resources.
(Partners in Action Research, 1997)