Abstract
This paper discusses how when the general public thinks of research, they think of an active investigator making use of passive data. In the case of human-based research, if the general public thinks of it at all, they assume that research consists of the researcher asking questions of a responsive participant. Participatory action research (PAR), however, alters these patterns of research. This paper further addresses how PAR can have an effect on social change? Is it possible for it, also, to effect change in educational organizations? What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)?

Tags:participatory, action, research

Abstract
The paper discusses how, with traditional research, the research subjects are alienated from the research that is produced. The paper explains that participatory research means that community-based sources would help researchers to recruit subjects and would make them active partners in the study, clearly informing them of the uses of their research. The paper offers diabetes treatment and research as an example of the uses of the participatory approach. The paper points out, however, that participatory research may not be appropriate to all types of study, where a large cross-section of a population is required, or a large amount of data is required with controls.

From the Paper
"One common critique of traditional modalities of social research is that traditionally minded researchers are unable to regard the subjects of their fact-finding mission as anything but lists of quantitative data that either prove or disprove a hypothesis. Through this lens, the research subjects are alienated from the research that is produced, research that would not exist without their participation. The educational institutions that publish the research benefit from the research project, not the participants. Participatory research is an attempt to remedy this deficit by offering a different approach to the research process."

Tags:community, partners, dialogue, culture, diabetes

Abstract
This essay looks at participatory design and in particular its applications in computer design. According to the paper, the goal of the participatory design is to obtain a more active user involvement in system design so that the system itself is improved. There are many advantages to participatory design one of which is a better product but there are also disadvantages. Coordination and the communication between such a diverse group may be a problem.

From the Paper
"The goal of participatory design is to obtain a more active user involvement in system design so that the system itself is improved. In computer technology, through participatory design both software designers and software users work on the design and development of the software. In participatory design users provide continual feedback to designers as they develop the system. In computer design in particular this leads to a better product and the quality of the computer application designed is improved in the sense that the application better fits the needs of the users. According to Fiorilli, (1997) "the diversity of representation on a design team expands the knowledge base on which the system is build".

Tags:computers, design, participatorydesign

Abstract
The key issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media is whether blogging (and other interactive, participatory uses of the internet) will redefine the world, specifically, the power of being a citizen. I believe that blogging has the power to change the world. The key issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media is whether blogging (and other interactive, participatory uses of the internet) will redefine the world, specifically, the power of being a citizen.

From the Paper
Culture, Communication, and Information Technology 1. What is the biggest issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media? This is an opinion response, so there are no "wrong" answers; that said there are one's that are more insightful, relevant, researched, analytic, informative, and well written. (1 page) The key issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media is whether blogging (and other interactive, participatory uses of the internet) will redefine the world, specifically, the power of being a citizen. I believe that blogging has the power to change the world.

Tags:internet, blog, podcast

Abstract
The paper examines the works of four authors on the nature of globalization and global governance. The paper uses one author as a pro-government side, and the other three authors who suggest some form of mixed participatory decision-making process.

From the Paper
"Globalization has become a popular buzz word in many circles. There is little agreement on whether globalization is a positive or a negative phenomenon. This essay will look at the relationship between globalization and global governance. It will look at the work of four researchers in order to prove that the current mode of globalization and global governance is problematic and, that in order to deal with these issues a participatory mode of global governance is necessary. In order to make this argument effectively it is necessary to look at the..."

Tags:globalization, global, governance

Abstract
The paper discusses how the two articles "Pedagogy of the Alienated: Can Freirian Teaching Reach Working-Class Students?" by Jonathan Martin and "Participatory Action Research and the Culture of Fear" by Timothy Pyrch both deal with the theme of the theory and practice of liberatory pedagogy. The paper looks at how one focuses on young working class students, while the other is focused on the community of practitioners of adult education who are focused on liberatory education. However, the paper notes that both articles also have many similarities, including the fact that both espouse educational philosophies, while at the same time grounding them in practical, real life experience. Thus, the paper shows how both articles contribute to the theme of liberation in education in different yet parallel ways.

From the Paper
"The two articles "Pedagogy of the Alienated: Can Freirian Teaching Reach Working-Class Students?" by Jonathan Martin and "Participatory Action Research and the Culture of Fear" by Timothy Pyrch both deal with the theme of the theory and practice of liberatory pedagogy. One focuses on young working class students, while the other is focused on the community of practitioners of adult education who are focused on liberatory education. However, the articles also have many similarities, including the fact that both espouse educational philosophies, while at the same time grounding them in practical, real life experience. Thus, both..."

Tags:freire, martin, pyrch

Abstract
The paper discusses that the purpose of the research report is to inform readers about the problem investigated, the methods used to solve it, the results of the investigation, and the conclusions reached. The paper presents an analysis and critique of research information reported in an article, " A Study in Sexual Health Applying the Principle of Community-based Participatory Research" with respect to a description of the independent and dependent variables examined, sampling methodology employed by the research investigators, and the reliability and validity of their study. The paper states further that the purpose of the research report is to inform readers about the problem investigated, the methods used to solve the problem, the results of the investigation, and the conclusions inferred from the result.

From the Paper
"Although sampling for exploratory research and sampling for experimental research have some common shared elements, Isreal, Schultz, Becker and Parker (1998) used, and appropriately so, a sampling method known as convenience sampling. Notably, convenience sampling was employed by Reece and Morgan (2004) in order to retrieve information that approximated the "truth" with respect to campus cruising by males. As the name implies the sample of men selected by Reece and Morgan was so selected because of convenience, namely, two men who had a reputation of engaging in cruising activities on campus. However, Reece and Dodge would have been more convincing had they expanded their subject base to the size of possibly 20 or 25 participants. Not unlike any research method the size of the sample has important ramifications. Often times a too small sample becomes opinionating rather than an opinion."

Tags:inadequate, validity, exploratory, research

Abstract
It has been asserted by some people that extending civil liberties, as well as participatory decision-making (that is, allowing workers to take part in managerial decisions) to the workplace would improve the American workplace. This paper examines this idea in relation to Nancy Ehrenreich's book "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America".

Abstract
This paper explains that, during the last decade, the incidence of student non-participation within the classroom, a source of constant frustration among teachers and faculty members, increased exponentially. The author points out that a large body of recent research focuses on the influence of student's thoughts, beliefs, and feelings about themselves and others related to their motivational practices and ability to participate more aggressively in the classroom; students often fail to participate because of inadequate feelings of self-worth, esteem, and achievement. The paper stresses that an important factor when assessing the behaviors of non-participatory student involves peer norms, defined as norms that are a composite of the perceptions held by the class members regarding what the other pupils feel is appropriate to do.

Table of Contents
Working Title
Terms of Reference
Problem Studied/Thesis
Content
Methodology
Literature Sources

From the Paper
"This dissertation proposes use of a Likert type scale to as a means of gathering data related to the survey population. Students and teachers to be assessed will be identified as those most impacted by non-participatory behavior, which is intended to be realized during the Literature Review. For purposes of this study a broad analysis of educational practices over diverse classroom settings will be examined, as it would not be feasible to study every classroom environment within the United States. Assessment of which schools to survey will depend on accessibility, and information gained from the Literature Review which may indicate what institutions and classroom environments are best surveyed for purposes of this study. The size of the population surveyed will be approximately 200 people in 3 or more classroom environments, with an expected return of at minimum 5 to 25 surveys."

Tags:management, peer, norms, behavioral, analysis

Abstract
This paper explains that Benjamin Barber in his book "Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age" defines 'thin democracy" as a democracy in which leaders are elected but they are left to their own devices concerning the majority of issues; people have the powers, which democracy provides, but the demonstration of these powers is primarily manifested in the form of elections. The author points out that Barber is convincing in making his point that "thin democracy" has a tendency to strip citizens of their sense of purpose as manifested by the voter participation rate stagnating in the U.S. at about half of those eligible. The paper stress that Barber loves the thought of a "strong democracy" in which it is not the leaders who make a democracy great but rather an active, informed citizenry.

From the Paper
""Thin democracy" takes the stance that average citizens are not interested in political matters and are not capable or adequate enough to directly participate in the political process themselves, beyond electing officials. Benjamin Barber feels that the United States democracy is thin and poorly represents the entire population at large. Significant portions of citizens are unable to vote due to restrictions or simply choose to be complacent and abstain from voting. Citizens under the age of eighteen are restricted from voting, as are prisoners, and persons living within the borders who are not nationalized. Citizens who are active in a thin democracy mainly participate in it by electing persons and then monitoring their political decisions (if they choose to do so), allowing the elected (those seen by the majority to have the most expertise and capability to discern what best represents the will of the majority) to do the actual work."

Tags:leaders, powers, voting-rate, informed, citizenry