Participatory Action Research 20 Participatory Action Research Involving Families from Underserved Communities and Researchers: Respecting Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Participatory Action Research (PAR)—a method of conducting research that involves researchers and the constituencies of the research as equal partners in all phases of the research—requires an understanding and respect for the unique perspectives and resources that each PAR team member brings to the effort. PAR can be particularly challenging when it involves a research institution from the mainstream academic culture and culturally and linguistically diverse families and students with disabilities from underserved communities. In this paper, we (a) provide an overview of participatory action research; (b) provide a contextual analysis of cultural and linguistic issues that must be addressed in research endeavors, we describe the nature of the research partnership; (d) highlight partnership challenges; and (e) highlight partnership promises. Overview of Participatory Action Research PAR refers to a process whereby the researchers and constituents together identify the problem to be investigated and collaborate throughout the entire data gathering, dissemination, and utilization process (Bruyere, 1993; McTaggart, 1991; Whyte, 1991). The PAR collaboration of researchers and constituents has two anticipated outcomes: (a) identifying and solving high- priority problems, and (b) ensuring that solutions are not only useful but also used by constituents. A major catalyst for PAR within the disability community i