Participatory Action Research Template - Guide for Community-Based PAR Projects

Sep 12, 2026

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Participatory Action Research (PAR) template integrating research and action for community-based organizations undertaking studies to support development and advocacy work. It guides practitioners to clarify the problem or issue, challenge and examine assumptions, assess community needs and resources, form a collaborative research team, and plan both action and research activities. The template also supports defining research questions, designing data collection strategies, conducting ongoing analysis, and documenting findings and results.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Participatory Action Research Steps

D Engage Community Participants

D Clearly Define the Problem

D Examine assumptions

D Assess organizational needs

D Identify a Research Team

D Develop an Action Plan

D Develop Research Plan

D Identify/Clarify Research Question (s)

D Data Collection Strategies

D On – Going Data Collection and Analysis

D Findings and Results

Building Skills and Communication

Identify local research resources

Develop and test survey/interview questions

Refine methods through roleplay

Schedule regular progress discussions

Develop an Action Plan

Define goals and short-term objectives

Fill the action plan chart

Participatory Action Research Template “With the proper tools and information everyone is a researcher”(Kuumba, 1996) Participatory Action Research (PAR) integrates research and action. This Participatory Action Research template supports community based organizations’seeking to undertake research projects to support their community development and advocacy work. Why do research? Although we understand that information is not power, information is certainly powerful. Understanding more about a problem or gathering information to help better actualize community or organizational vision can help clarify and sharpen our planning and execution, and gather important feedback on our current work. Given how important this kind of information can be to effective work in communities, it’s important that community groups do not relegate it to “experts” alone. What follows is a template to help you undertake research projects. The template is not a recipe but a guide from which to begin your research. \# Participatory Action Research Steps D Engage Community Participants D Clearly Define the Problem D Examine assumptions D Assess organizational needs D Identify a Research Team D Develop an Action Plan D Develop Research Plan D Identify/Clarify Research Question (s) D Data Collection Strategies D On – Going Data Collection and Analysis D Findings and Results By Fannie Haughton, Ed.D. , Director of Research and Evaluation [The Praxis Project](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[ ](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[www.thepraxisproject.org](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org) Engage Community Participants Participatory Action Research begins with issues that emerge from day to day living. Therefore, PAR involves a broad range of community participants to choose the issue or problem that is within their sphere of influence. The Problem or Issue (in 25 words or less): By Fannie Haughton, Ed.D. , Director of Research and Evaluation [The Praxis Project](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[ ](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[www.thepraxisproject.org](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org) Complete the chart below to clarify the problem. Use the following questions to guide your thinking. D How frequently does the problem occur? D How many people are affected? D How severe is the effect? D How important do group members perceive the problem to be? D How important is the problem seen by others? D Is the problem “solvable”? D Are there negative impacts? D What resources are available to solve the problem? | Problem Causes (e.g. , root causes and others) | Problem Consequences
(e.g. , Who’s affected? What does it cost?) | Potential Solutions
(ideas that can address a part or all of the issue) | Resources
(Available and needed) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | By Fannie Haughton, Ed.D. , Director of Research and Evaluation [The Praxis Project](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[ ](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org)[www.thepraxisproject.org](The Praxis Project www.thepraxisproject.org) Examine Assumptions about the Problem Community participants have a critical voice in determining the direction for solving the problem. D Why is the problem important? D What do you already know about the problem? D Determine what you want to know about the problem D Identify possible sources for additional information about the problem - survey - interview - the library - the internet - others? Assess Community Resources Review the issue you will address. With that in mind, list three specific ways in which your community needs to be strengthened in order to achieve your goal. • List resources you bring to solve the problem • List three internal concerns that have to be considered or overcome • How will addressing this problem strengthen the organization? Your community? Bring you

FAQs

What does Participatory Action Research (PAR) combine, and what is it used for in this template?

PAR integrates research and action. The template is designed to help community-based organizations undertake research that supports community development and advocacy work.

How does the template help clarify the problem or issue?

It prompts teams to describe the problem in 25 words or less and complete a chart addressing causes, consequences, potential solutions, and available or needed resources, guided by questions such as frequency, impact, and solvability.

What key outputs does the template encourage after planning research activities?

It guides the development of an action plan and research plan, identification of research questions, selection of data collection strategies, ongoing data collection and analysis, and finally documenting findings and results.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Aria