Realising the promise of participatory action research in health - Emerging findings from a realist review (REAL-2)
1
Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
2
Robin Vincent Learning and Evaluation LTD, Sheffield, United Kingdom
3
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
4
University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
5
Training and Research Support Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
6
Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
7
Independent consultant, Northumberland, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3702
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Participatory research (PR) is broadly defined as research where people who are affected by the issue being studied are involved throughout the research process. 1 Participatory action research places emphases on the need to identify, take and learn from action. 2 This realist review explored how participatory research can lead to evidence and action that improves the health outcomes of people affected by infectious diseases, mental health conditions and the health consequences of climate change. We aimed to clarify the key dynamics of PR and PAR, and understand what mechanisms and contexts influence health, capacity and partnership outcomes.
METHODS:
We followed realist review methods.3 A systematic search of 12 databases yielded 2198 studies; after screening we included 91 publications. We used grey literature and theoretical literature to develop realist explanations and drew on a scholar-practitioner advisory board.
RESULTS:
Our results showed the importance of deliberate attention to how power is shifted during each research stage, including in initiating the research collaboration and collective analysis. Dynamics of non-dominating power can inform collaborative group processes. These are reflected across different levels of practice; realising an ‘equity context’. The creation of safe spaces for dialogue, joint action and reflection can facilitate wider action on local insights. Importantly, such participatory processes involve embracing diversity and conflict, which can lead to stronger relationships, more relevant action, and greater motivation for further engagement.
CONCLUSIONS:
A careful consideration of how power influences PR can help sensitise researchers to existing dynamics and their influence on research. There is a need for adequate funding for building relationships and collaborations necessary for the PAR process. We recommend more explicit attention to the need for knowledge democracy and epistemic justice in research processes, to which PAR can contribute. This can support PR and PAR processes to enable public health gains.
Participatory research (PR) is broadly defined as research where people who are affected by the issue being studied are involved throughout the research process. 1 Participatory action research places emphases on the need to identify, take and learn from action. 2 This realist review explored how participatory research can lead to evidence and action that improves the health outcomes of people affected by infectious diseases, mental health conditions and the health consequences of climate change. We aimed to clarify the key dynamics of PR and PAR, and understand what mechanisms and contexts influence health, capacity and partnership outcomes.
METHODS:
We followed realist review methods.3 A systematic search of 12 databases yielded 2198 studies; after screening we included 91 publications. We used grey literature and theoretical literature to develop realist explanations and drew on a scholar-practitioner advisory board.
RESULTS:
Our results showed the importance of deliberate attention to how power is shifted during each research stage, including in initiating the research collaboration and collective analysis. Dynamics of non-dominating power can inform collaborative group processes. These are reflected across different levels of practice; realising an ‘equity context’. The creation of safe spaces for dialogue, joint action and reflection can facilitate wider action on local insights. Importantly, such participatory processes involve embracing diversity and conflict, which can lead to stronger relationships, more relevant action, and greater motivation for further engagement.
CONCLUSIONS:
A careful consideration of how power influences PR can help sensitise researchers to existing dynamics and their influence on research. There is a need for adequate funding for building relationships and collaborations necessary for the PAR process. We recommend more explicit attention to the need for knowledge democracy and epistemic justice in research processes, to which PAR can contribute. This can support PR and PAR processes to enable public health gains.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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