The Value and Limitations of Participatory Action Research Methodology

J Mackenzie; P L Tan; S Hoverman; Claudia Baldwin

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.09.008

Back

The Value and Limitations of Participatory Action Research Methodology

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The Value and Limitations of Participatory Action Research Methodology

J Mackenzie, P L Tan, S Hoverman and Claudia Baldwin

Journal of Hydrology, Vol.474, pp.11-21

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.09.008

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Author's Accepted Version (Open Access)1.12 MBDownload View

Accepted VersionPDF - Author Accepted Version (Open Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.09.008View

Published Version

Abstract

Participatory Action Research

collaboration

water planning

deliberative tools

evaluation

This article describes the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology used to trial and evaluate a suite of planning tools to improve the engagement process for statutory water planning in Australia, and assesses its value and limitations in the Australian context. We argue that the strength of this method is its consistency with a social learning and adaptive management approach. We owe the success of this research approach to five key factors: a high degree of access to the project setting; clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities between researchers and participants; considerable effort spent building and maintaining informal networks and relationships; sensitivity to the relationship between 'insiders' (the participants or owners of the issue i.e. government and community) and 'outsiders' (the research project team); and continual review of project planning and willingness to adapt timeframes and processes to suit the situation. The value and challenges of Participatory Action Research are discussed with key lessons emerging for improving its practice, as well as the transferability of this knowledge to engagement practice for water planning.

Details

Title: The Value and Limitations of Participatory Action Research Methodology
Authors: J Mackenzie (Author) - Griffith University
P L Tan (Author) - Griffith University
S Hoverman (Author) - Griffith University
Claudia Baldwin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
Publication details: Journal of Hydrology, Vol.474, pp.11-21
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.09.008
ISSN: 0022-1694
Copyright note: Copyright © 2012. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450405102621
Output Type: Journal article