Youth Voices

Evaluation of Participatory Action Research

Abstract

When conducted with sensitivity and reflexivity, participatory action research (PAR) can be an empowering process that is particularly relevant for engaging young people in reflection and dialogue for social change. As the theory and practice of PAR evolve, researchers have evaluated the experiences of community participants, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. However, only a limited number of evaluations have focused on PAR processes undertaken with youth, and few published papers have reported on involving youth in the evaluation. This article addresses the process of enabling youth to participate to their fullest ability in an evaluation of a PAR project called Youth Voices. The analysis draws on feedback questionnaires from community evaluators, minutes and notes from team meetings, and the researchers’ experiences and observations. The authors reflect on lessons learned that can be helpful to others considering participatory evaluation research with youth. The study revealed limitations in employing participatory evaluation with at-risk youth, including challenges posed by their psychosocial development and maintaining participants’ engagement throughout the processes of participatory evaluation. These lessons shed light on key tensions in using participatory evaluation and challenge the implicit assumption that a higher level of participation is necessarily better when working with youth. A central question is posed: What level of participation is optimal to ensure authentic community decision-making in a PAR project without overwhelming youth participants?