Volume 1, No. 2

Keiko Goto

Academic Researchers’ Roles in Participatory Action Research, Theory Development and the Improvement of Community-based Health Projects

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This article examines the typology of participatory approaches used in a youth health project based on the author’s experience as a researcher and facilitator in the “What every adolescent has a right to know” initiative for HIV/AIDS prevention among youth. In this case study, timely feedback of academic research, which was conducted concurrently with the facilitation of the project, provided important insights that helped to better conceptualize the goals of the project and improved its functioning. Furthermore, the academic research demonstrated that project participants emphasized one of three distinct types of PAR, variably emphasizing the research, education and action components of PAR to different degrees. This led to re-conceptualization of the initial theoretical model derived from the literature, and thus supported the academic goal of contributing to theory development in PAR. Considering that there are many participatory projects in health and other disciplines, more empirical studies involving process examination of participatory projects may be helpful for academics and practitioners to theorize PAR in order to learn what works and what does not work in community-based projects.

Christian Dagenais

Knowledge Transfer in Community-Based Organizations: A Needs Assessment Study

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Research-based knowledge remains relatively underutilized by social practitioners. Many studies have shown that, in order to be used, research results have to be compatible with users’ needs and beliefs. The purpose of this needs assessment study was to identify the priority needs of community-based organization practitioners in terms of new research-based knowledge. The first phase of the study focused on a large-scale survey designed to identify what kind of information should be more available to practitioners. In this phase, we used concept mapping technology to construct a graphic representation of the participants’ main concerns. In the second phase, we conducted focus groups to develop a knowledge transfer strategy that takes into account the identified needs.

Caterina Arcidiacono, Fortuna Procentese

Participatory Research into Community Psychology within a Local ContextParticipatory Research into Community Psychology within a Local Context

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The aim is to present a series of participatory action research studies focused on town development and inhabitants’ needs. The paper discusses how to construct a field investigation that pays attention to people’s narratives, as well as how to elaborate a substantive theory, which is inductively derived from the study of the phenomenon.

The assessment of the trustworthiness of the intervention is also examined. For a better understanding of how to conduct an intervention in a local community, this paper deals with methodological questions concerning triangulation of sources and sampling strategies. Research instruments such as narratives, community profiles, and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats ) analysis are discussed as regards their use within grounded theory methodologies and participatory action research.

David G. Blumenkrantz, Marc B. Goldstein

Rites of Passage as a Framework for Community Interventions with Youth

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This article discusses the potential value of adopting a rites of passage framework for developing community interventions for youth and suggests principles for its application. We propose a contemporary working definition of the concept, how it could reshape the way we approach community and youth development, and 20 core components of a rites of passage process developed from our work experience spanning over 40 years.