Participatory Action Research

"Only Action Changes Reality"

Action Research Spiral

By Dr. Jeff Hawkins
Updated: March 31, 2025
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 705-417-3276

Who Is Action Research For?
Action Research (AR) is designed for individuals or groups within social organizations who seek a democratic, participatory process to challenge and improve the status quo. Examples include:

Private schools: teachers, principals, and educational administrators
Hospitals: nurse practitioners and healthcare teams
Factories: workers, union representatives, and management teams
Any team or individual pursuing innovation in their workspace

Action Research / Participatory Action Research
Professionals and individuals in complex social environments—such as schools, hospitals, or factories—often need a clear methodology to improve or transform their organization from within. This is the core purpose of Action Research (AR) and Participatory Action Research (PAR): to provide a logical, evidence-based approach that enhances the social systems we engage with daily. AR serves as a "Way Forward," enabling the seemingly unchangeable status quo to evolve through deliberate, informed action.

Why Action Research?
Action Research offers a systematic framework—plan, act, observe, reflect—to analyze the intricate relationships within social institutions like schools, hospitals, or retirement homes. Through this process, it identifies specific areas for improvement and drives meaningful change. As Professor Stephen Kemmis asserts, "Only Action Changes Reality," emphasizing that discussion alone is insufficient—action is essential.

How Is AR Different from Other Research Methods?
Unlike traditional qualitative or quantitative research, which often observes from an external perspective, Action Research focuses on *you*—the individuals within an organization—taking action to improve your environment. It’s a first-person approach where participants learn from their actions (both successes and setbacks) and refine their social reality over time. This iterative process empowers teams to create a better tomorrow through informed, intentional change.

AR doesn’t aim to mimic other research paradigms. Pioneered by Kurt Lewin in the 1940s, often regarded as the father of Action Research, this method was used to enhance factory conditions for workers and management alike. Grounded in real-world application, AR delivers reliable, valid, and trustworthy results—often more so than research conducted under idealized or controlled conditions.

PAR Summary
Embarking on a Participatory Action Research project is akin to climbing Mount Everest: it’s challenging, but with the right guide, it becomes transformative. If I were scaling Everest, I’d hire the best Sherpa available to ensure survival and success. Similarly, expert guidance in PAR helps teams avoid pitfalls and navigate toward meaningful outcomes—new insights, solutions, and innovations that revitalize your organization. (Hint: If you’re mistaking survey responses for deep knowledge, you’re veering off course.)

Fortunately, I’m an Action Research "Sherpa" with extensive expertise. I can steer your PAR project toward success, ensuring it generates actionable results.

Free Resource
I’ve included a link to an AR study I led as a Research Consultant in Malaysia, available for free download. Review it carefully to understand the components of a successful action research project. However, note that *reading* about AR isn’t the same as *doing* it—managing its complexities, personalities, and moving parts requires hands-on experience.

Let’s Talk
Ready to explore your Action Research project? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals—I genuinely enjoy talking about AR! Zoom meetings are available for those preferring online sessions or located internationally. Talk is free, and I’m here to help.