Participatory Action Research and People with Disabilities: Principles and Challenges

摘要: Running Head: Participatory Research Page 2 of 11 interests, and agendas for change. The process has been influenced by social research methods in critical education (e.g., Freire, 1970), anthropology Whyte, 1955), community development Falls Borda, 1984). Selener (1997) mentions that pioneers the PAR movement were dissatisfied with traditional positivistic methodology, which looked at people solely as subjects study, depriving them any input processoother than responding to researchersi questions. They also recognized two fundamental problems research: First, it did not give a voice under study. Second, was typically observational driven primarily theoretical interests little room action. These issues are central participatory emerged. need involve individuals study directly endeavor. they proposed focus should be generate actions aimed From this new perspective, is no longer limited sophisticated observation manipulation but includes attempts transform society empower those who oppressed. While focuses mostly on advancing knowledge, goals ofPAR include problem solving, agenda setting, change, addition membersi knowledge their own reality. .