Critical Dilemmas in PAR: Toward a New Theory of Engaged Research for Social Change

The article presents research on the methods, dilemmas, and effects of participatory action research (PAR) in studies on students at an alternative high school for at-risk youth, undocumented university students, and low-income immigrant parents in a school reform effort. The author discusses and an...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2009
In: Social justice
Year: 2009, Volume: 36, Issue: 4, Pages: 14-35
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Social Change
Cooperative inquiry
Social science research
Evaluation research (Social action programs)
Education Research
Research Methodology
Research methodology evaluation
Action Research
Description
Summary:The article presents research on the methods, dilemmas, and effects of participatory action research (PAR) in studies on students at an alternative high school for at-risk youth, undocumented university students, and low-income immigrant parents in a school reform effort. The author discusses and analyzes three critical dilemmas in PAR that arise between the theoretical values of PAR and its practical implementation related to power, authorship, and scale. The issue of researcher privilege is raised in relation to its hindering the achievement of lasting social change. In concluding, the author discusses how her attempts to pursue the political and ethical values of PAR led her to stray from original PAR methodologies.