Participatory Action Research as people’s Research

Participatory action research differs from both basic and applied social science research in terms of people’s involvement in the research process, integration of action with research, and the practice – based nature of the knowledge. It differs from other forms of action – oriented research because of the central and systematic participatory role that local non-experts play. In contrast to other forms of action – oriented research, in which outside parties have an important role in determining what problems to address, often taking charge of the research process and implementing action, in participatory action research people who share problems in common decide what problem to tackle and directly get involved in research and social change activities (Park, 1999). According to my understanding, the MVTC Staff and Students should consider being involved in the research process by identifying their problems and let them make decisions about which problems to be handled first. As a facilitator I will encourage them to come up with the problem and to find the solutions.