What Do 'Participation' and 'Action' Really Mean in Participatory Action Research? Some Observations from a Community Development Project with Minority English-Speaking Communities in Quebec

As part of a knowledge development initiative focused on English-speaking communities in Quebec, Quebec's public health institute (INSPQ) has been working in collaboration with the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) on a participatory action research (PAR) project. It aims to build and transfer knowledge of community development through a network of community-based groups throughout the province. The authors explore what forms participation and action took within the project including its limitations and possibilities. The authors found that the benefits of PAR for these groups included opportunities to: strengthen old partnerships and create new ones, develop closer connections with community members, and acquire new skills and knowledge. Actions taken by these groups include mobilizing the English-speaking population and recruiting volunteers, developing new projects, applying to government bodies for project funding, and continued gathering of information on various community issues. They also found that there are many challenges to using community-based participatory action research, such as the time required to achieve civic engagement, empowerment, capacity building, and collaboration. The authors conclude that the position of many researchers can make this difficult, however even the short-term benefits are apparent.

Journal of Eastern Townships Studies/Revue d’études des Cantons de l’Est.

No. 40

11-31

Spring 2013

en