Fundamentals of Participatory Action Research in Public Health Investigations: A Literature Review

Abstract

Participatory Action Research (PAR) has gained increasing recognition in public health as a pragmatic and community-engaged methodology that bridges research and practice through collaboration, inclusivity, and practical problem-solving. However, despite its growing adoption across disciplines, many public health investigations still struggle to apply PAR effectively due to limited understanding of its philosophical foundations, guiding principles, and methodological structure. This lack of conceptual clarity has often led to inconsistent implementation, misinterpretation of participatory practices, and limited community empowerment within health research. To address these challenges, this literature review synthesizes and critically discusses the fundamental components of PAR to guide researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in its effective application. The review elaborates on the three major philosophical paradigms—constructivism, objectivism, and pragmatism—with a particular focus on the pragmatic dimensions of ontology, epistemology, and axiology that inform participatory inquiry. It further traces the historical development of PAR from the early works of Kurt Lewin and Paulo Freire and discusses its core principles of democracy, equity, liberation, and life enhancement that distinguish it from traditional top-down research models. In addition, the review outlines key data collection techniques—such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, surveys, and Delphi methods—commonly employed in participatory studies, highlighting their strengths and limitations. By consolidating these insights, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical and methodological underpinnings of PAR and emphasizes its importance as a transformative approach for producing equitable, contextually relevant, and action-oriented evidence in public health.