scholarly journals Moving with the Movements: Participatory Action Research in In/Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-104
Author(s):  
Jonathan Langdon ◽  
Sheena Cameron ◽  
Natalie Krieger ◽  
Alhassan Shani
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

Participation by its very nature is iterative, meaning Participatory Action Research (PAR) must be responsive to the way participation manifests and what actions emerge from this participation. In the article that follows, we share the complex and intertwined stories of PAR in action in two social movement contexts in Ghana, as well as the conditions that led to inaction in these two stories. This article builds on previous related work, where PAR was described as “moving with the movement” (Langdon & Larweh, 2015), and describes the complexities of trying to move with the movement as conditions and relationships change over time. By sharing challenges and achievements that have emerged from the movement and research, we illustrate how moving with the movement has resulted in rich and unanticipated learnings.

Enabling sense-making for patients receiving outpatient palliative treatment: A participatory action research driven model for person-centered communication

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Öhlén ◽  
G. Carlsson ◽  
A. Jepsen ◽  
I. Lindberg ◽  
F. Friberg
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Sense Making ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Professional Health ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTObjectives:In clinical palliative cancer care, the diversity of patient concerns over time makes information provision a critical issue, the demands of information-seeking patients presenting a challenge to both the communicative and organizational skills of the health provider. This study puts forward a practice model for communication between patients, their family members, and professional health providers during ongoing palliative chemotherapy; a model which supports the providers in enabling person-centered communication.Method:A constant comparative analysis adapted to participatory action research was applied. The model was developed step-wise in three interrelated cycles, with results from previous studies from palliative cancer care processed in relation to professional health providers' experience-based clinical knowledge. In doing this, focus group discussions were carried out with providers and patients to develop and revise the model.Results:The Enabling Sense Making model for person-centered communication gave rise to three domains (which are also the major communicative actors in palliative care): the patient, the family, and the provider. These actors were placed in the context of a communicative arena. The three respective domains were built up in different layers discriminating between significant aspects of person-centered communication, from the manifest that is most usually explicated in dialogues, to the latent that tends to be implicitly mediated.Significance of results:The model intends to facilitate timely reorientation of care from curative treatment or rehabilitation to palliation, as well as the introduction of appropriate palliative interventions over time during palliative phases. In this way the model is to be regarded a frame for directing the awareness of the professionals, which focuses on how to communicate and how to consider the patient’s way of reasoning. The model could be used as a complement to other strategic initiatives for the advancement of palliative care communication. It needs to be further evaluated in regard to practice evidence.

scholarly journals Beyond Forecasting: Using a Modified Delphi Method to Build Upon Participatory Action Research in Developing Principles for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692090321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Revez ◽  
Niall Dunphy ◽  
Clodagh Harris ◽  
Gerard Mullally ◽  
Breffní Lennon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Modified Delphi Method ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
The Way

Energy transition debates have been characterized by a strong emphasis on the technical implications of shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, with little consideration of social contexts. This is now changing, with a growing emphasis on reconfiguring the social aspects of energy, particularly in terms of introducing more democratic processes into behavior change and energy practice engagements. This article situates itself within these debates and demonstrates the transformative potential of combining participatory action research (PAR) approaches with a modified Delphi method for understanding energy transition issues, particularly beyond forecasting instruments. There remains a dearth in literature combining the Delphi method with PAR; its application in the field of energy transitions is very innovative. PAR draws from grassroots and local-based knowledge, Delphi panels typically focus on the insights from a panel of professional experts. In combining these two approaches, to develop principles for an inclusive and just energy transition, a reflexive form of dialogue emerges that gives voice to what are often considered dissonant or mismatched perspectives. Furthermore, the experimental use of a modified Delphi panel, combined with PAR, offers a strategy to promote knowledge sharing between different groups and to counter potential communication barriers among different actors in society. This article shows how a modified Delphi panel approach is considerably enhanced by combining elements of PAR, raising the potential of Delphi panels beyond forecasting instruments, which often seek to determine the way the future “will be,” toward an envisioning tool that collaboratively seeks to explore the way a low-carbon system “could be,” or perhaps “should be.” The development of energy transition principles, endorsed through the modified Delphi panel, offers a concrete way to enact practices of energy justice within a more democratized energy system.

Launching Reconciliation in Somalia

2019 ◽  
pp. 191-202
Author(s):  
Joakim Gundel
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Power Sharing ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Reconciliation Process ◽  
The Way

This chapter argues that a reconciliation process is key to strengthening the Somali state. Reconciliation has persistently been omitted from past peace processes, and has essentially been replaced by power-sharing arrangements, neglecting the interests and grievances of the Somali population. The continuance of violence in Somalia's regions and within the capital itself shows that there is a serious need for reconciliation. The first step in a reconciliation process would be to bring Somalis together to determine the way in which key issues are addressed, which is likely to involve forgiveness or truth and justice. Beyond this, the agenda of the reconciliation process can be derived from bottom-up, participatory action research methodologies in order to identify grievances and the principles for their resolution.

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