METHOD
Reason (1994) has described four phases in participatory research. In Phase 1, the
researchers agree on an area for inquiry and generate some initial research propositions.
They also agree on a set of procedures by which they will observe and record
theirownand others’ experiences (i.e., gather the data). In Phase 2, they begin to initiate
the agreed action and to observe and record their own and others’ experiences.
In Phase 3, they become fully immersed in the doing of the research. Reason (1994)
described this stage of full immersion as fundamental, the stage at which the
transformative potential of participatory research begins to be realized. In Phase 4,
the researchers revisit and revise their original research propositions, analyze the
data, draw out results and conclusions, and prepare to present their research publicly.
We will use this four-phase framework to describe the research experiences of
our group.