What Participatory Action Research is - and is not!

Abstract

This paper delves into the essence of Participatory Action Research (PAR), differentiating it from conventional research methods. It highlights that PAR is not merely research followed by action but a cyclical process of action that is researched, modified, and re-researched collaboratively. The paper emphasizes PAR as a democratic and inclusive approach that actively involves all relevant parties in examining and improving problematic situations. The discourse reflects on the historical, political, and socio-economic contexts of PAR, underscoring its alignment with the "new paradigm science" in social and physical sciences. Challenges in fully implementing PAR are discussed alongside its characteristics under participation, action, and research, presenting it as a transformative and collective inquiry method.