PAR is collective reasoning and evidence-based learning focussed on social action. It has immediate relevance in fields ranging from community development to education, health, public engagement, environmental issues and problem solving in the workplace. This new edition has been extensively revised to create a user-friendly textbook on PAR theory and practice, including:
- updated references and a comprehensive overview of different approaches to PAR (pragmatic, psychosocial, critical);
- more emphasis on the art of process design, especially in complex social settings characterized by uncertainty and the unknown;
Trade Review
"This groundbreaking book is a rich resource of concepts and tools for all who are engaged with the practice and theory of Participatory Action Research. Drawing on their lifetimes of experience and innovation, the authors take an open and inclusive approach to strengthening the foundations and diversifying the methods of engaged research. The extraordinary scope of this book and the new perspectives it offers, together with an accessible style, will inform, provoke and inspire field practitioners and academics alike to creatively design research for the many challenges of the 21st century." - Robert Chambers, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK
"Chevalier and Buckles have improved on an already exceptionally helpful book I used in my teaching at Cornell University, with great success. They now combine thoughtful explorations of mid-range theories on problem-solving, stakeholder analysis, risk assessment and other foundational concepts with a wide variety of practical methods and tips for designing meaningful research. Their overview of PAR theory and guidelines on how to bridge distinct traditions now offer a well-rounded and complete teaching text." - Davydd J. Greenwood, Goldwin Smith Professor of Anthropology Emeritus, Cornell University, USA
"This is a wonderful book. Its overview of participatory action research, including the insights of French psychosociology, is unparalleled. It bridges traditions that have operated in silos for far too long. Chevalier and Buckles also provide a wide range of ‘skilful means’ to effectively meet and reconcile the requirements of democratic participation, transformative action in concrete settings and the advancement of general knowledge." - Christian Michelot, École Centrale-Supélec, France
Praise for the first edition
"This book is a must for anyone seriously committed to research that ensures the authentic participation and empowerment of people from all walks of life, be they from oral or textual traditions, women or men, old or young, articulate or hesitant, outspoken or reserved." - Farida Akhter, UBINIG (Policy Research for Development Alternative), Bangladesh
". . . a wonderful compendium, replete with practical tools and techniques that bring rigour and vigour to the international dialogue among action researchers . . . This is a serious volume worth the time of any action researcher who is curious about how western (including francophone) perspectives on PAR come alive. This volume makes a significant contribution to the collective craft of scholarly practice among action researchers." - Hilary Bradbury-Huang, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
Table of Contents
Introduction Module 1: Advancing Theory 1. Ins and outs of Participatory Action Research 2. Pragmatic, psychosocial and critical PAR Module 2: Design and Facilitation 3. Planning systems that learn 4. Participatory Action Monitoring and Evaluation 5. Measuring with measure 6. Skills, process design and ethics Module 3: Exploring Problems 7. Getting to the roots 8. Participatory mapping and Citizen Science 9. Factors at play 10. Paradox Module 4: Knowing the Actors 11. Stakeholder basics 12. Making social analysis simple, but not any simpler 13. Social Analysis CLIP 14. Positions and values Module 5: Assessing Options 15. Thinking outside the box 16. Reconciling differences 17. Anticipating the future Module 6: System Thinking 18. System Dynamics 19. Domain Analysis 20. Breaking the dependency on tobacco production Conclusion
