Book Review: Participatory Research and Action: A Guide to Becoming a Researcher for Social Change

Abstract

Consistent with the definition of participatory action research (PAR), in which 'research participants are ideally involved and in control at every stage of the research and in which the goal is to take action on the research findings for positive social change' (p. 10), the stated goals of this 72-page booklet are to provide guidance to community organizations in how to initiate and conduct research that results in social change. This guide to PAR was formulated through a number of consultations and meetings held by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW). After defining concepts such as 'research', 'PAR' (from a feminist perspective), and 'good versus bad research', guidelines are then outlined for conducting PAR from the initial conceptualization of a research topic through to the final evaluation of the completed project. Extensive consideration is provided about a variety of methods for communicating the research results so as to promote social change. A brief section addresses ethical issues and provides a list of common problems encountered in PAR with related solutions. In the final section of the booklet, a summary of a literature review regarding issues and challenges in feminist PAR is provided. These issues and challenges include (a) the implicit assumptions and biases in research methods, (b) whether the researcher should be part of the community or outside of the community being researched, (c) research ethics that are sensitive to the values and issues of diverse communities, (d) managing power differentials in establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships, and (e) establishing effective communication strategies throughout all stages of the project. The guide ends with a list of articles, books and web-based resources for further information.This guide provides an ambitious overview of key concepts and issues in research in general and feminist participatory action research in particular. It provides some simple descriptions of complex concepts, seemingly for readers (members of community organizations for whom the book is written) who have little knowledge regarding these topics. There is also a clear summary of the basic PAR procedures including useful guidelines regarding how to communicate the research results to precipitate social change. Sprinkled throughout are case studies and examples of PAR conducted nationally and internationally that demonstrate research issues or procedures.It is questionable whether this guide actually achieves the stated goals for this audi-