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)?
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".
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."
Abstract This paper discusses Canada's unique political culture. In an attempt to define the political culture distinct to Canada, the paper examines three basic categories of political culture - parochial, subject and participatory. The paper contends that based on recent events and the past, it is clear that Canada practices a participatory political culture attitude, but with some flaws. These flaws are identified and explored in the paper.
From the Paper "The presence of culture tying in with government and politics is known as political culture which doesn't bring any surprise. Every state in the world has a distinct political culture although some states adapt their political attributes from others which will be discussed later on. The text states that political culture includes the attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms that people have developed toward government and politics; one might say that the essence of a states' political culture is derived from the people which reside in the land. As a result in the culture of a state, popular stereotypes formed about a states people; for example the German people are thought of and think of themselves as being respectful of public authority. Many other countries have stereotypes among them as well, which most are derived from the political culture seen throughout the media. (Dickerson & Flanagan: 66) "
Abstract This paper analyzes the American political system by explaining the three major models of democracy and examining which of these the United States comes closest to. These forms of democracy are participatory democracy, liberal-representative democracy and pluralist democracy.
From the Paper "In the United States this form of democracy would hardly be possible. The country is physically too large, and the population is too many for everyone to participate in politics. If 50% of the voting-age population in the United States were given 10 seconds to have their voice heard, the meeting would not be concluded for approximately 285,854 hours. That is more than 32 years; at that rate a good deal of people would have died before they were ever given their chance to speak (According to the Federal Election Commission the Voting age population at the time of the 2000 presidential election was approximately 215,815,000). It is understandable that if politics took up that much time then most people would not want to participate at all. In November of 2000 approximately 51.3% of the voting age population actually voted. That means that over 100,000,000 people that were eligible to vote did not. A great deal of the population has become apathetic when it comes to politics today. There is also a good amount of people that believe most of the population is not competent enough to be given the responsibility to take part in politics. In the United States a tiny percentage of the population, a group of elites that make their life and their living out of politics make most of the important political decisions. Most politicians of today do not like the idea of direct democracy; they would be nothing with out the separation of government and people."
Abstract This paper discusses how the United States is a nation that has been an active advocate for a democratic form of government. It examines how the author Edward Greenberg provides his readers with some ideas about the contemporary outlook of the democratic political system existing in the society today. It looks at how he believes that the United States does not fulfill the expectations of the three important models of democracy that have been conceived by social and political scientists in their study of democracy-- the Participatory, Liberal- Representative and Pluralist models of democracy. It analyzes whether Greenberg's beliefs are true in the U.S.'s status at present as a democratic nation, or if one of these models actually applies to the form of government the U.S. is currently practicing.
From the Paper "The Participatory Model of Democracy is considered a direct from of democracy, wherein people actively and directly participate in the control and governance of a nation. The Participatory Model of Democracy is characterized as a form of democracy wherein "citizens play an active role in the government through" assemblies and? councils? (American Democracy Online 2003). Further, the Participatory model is best described as the democracy model wherein citizen involvement plays a major role in the control and governance of a nation. The Liberal-Representative Model, meanwhile, is the exercise of democracy by its citizens in an indirect manner. In this model, the citizens play a "passive" role in controlling and governing the nation. Instead, a representative is assigned by the citizenry to serve as the "voice" of the people. This model gives the citizenry the option to oust or vote a representative out of office if the representative proved to be inadequate in representing the citizenry's interest and implementing the form of control and governance the citizens wanted to have."
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".
This paper is a dissertation proposal to determine why non-participatory behaviors are prevalent in classroom settings and to discover key strategies and techniques for reducing these behaviors and encouraging a more proactive learning environment.
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."
This paper discusses Benjamin Barber's views on "thin democracy" and "strong democracy" as expresses in his book "Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age".
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."
Abstract An examination of New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's leadership style during September 11, 2001, that argues a transactional, participatory and political framework style of leadership would have been more effective than the one exhibited.
From the Paper "The charismatic and transformational leadership of New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in handling the terrorist crisis in New York City on September and the aftermath following has generally been hailed by critics ..."
Tags: September 11, traits, personality, transformational, political framework, authoratative, participatory, coalition, morale, motivation
Abstract This paper explains workplace democracy, the purpose it plays in the development of a successful company and suggests how organizations effectively foster a climate of workplace democracy. The paper explains how some companies have developed a corporate structure with the concept of workplace democracy as its nucleus. The body of the paper discusses workplace democracy that is in place at Google, EBay, Starbucks, Nike and JetBlue. Using these examples the paper concludes that the unique thread that ties these companies together is innovation and the development of totally new business structures that require participatory actions from employees. These companies have been able to foster a climate of workplace democracy through communication, listening to employee needs and developing benefit plans that satisfy these needs.
Introduction
Workplace Democracy
Google
EBay
Starbucks
Nike
JetBlue
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Google is one of the most innovative and successful businesses of the 21st century (Company Overview). The company was created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin who developed a new method of searching the internet (Company Overview). This new creation took place in a dorm room at Stanford University and rapidly broadened to include information seekers around the world. As a result the company is now the largest and most successful search engine available on the internet (Company Overview).
"A large part of the success of Google is related to the corporate culture which utilizes workplace democracy. According to the company's official website although the company is now worth billions the business still has a small company feel. The company's headquarters is known as the Googleplex and is located in Mountain View, California (The Google Culture). The atmosphere is laid back and the workplace is very inclusive and participatory."
A discussion of a critique on the article, "A Study in Sexual Health Applying the Principle of Community-based Participatory Research" by Reece and Dodgand.
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."
Abstract The paper discusses the value of Bill Nichols' system of documentary modes and outlines the "Poetic Mode", "The Observational Mode", and "The Participatory Mode". The paper shows how not all of his modes fit exactly into a neat category. The paper also explains why viewers place faith in documentaries, more so than other formats and then shows why a good, ethical documentary can engender tangible change.
Outline:
The Value of Nichols' System of Documentary Modes
Why Viewers Place Faith in Documentaries - More So than Other Formats
The Assumption is that a Good, Ethical Documentary can "Engender Tangible Change."
From the Paper "The value first of all is in the fact that Nichols' system puts a microscope on the topic of documentaries. Nichols slows down the process of how critics and reviewers tell the movie-going public about certain films that are non-fiction films. Nichols attempts to break the discussion down into sections (components) that people can understand.
"For example, the Nichols' "Poetic Mode" offers clarification that this form of documentary is probably what people would call "arty." That is, it will be slow and maybe dull. And historical material will probably be in this documentary, and it will be done in a "lyrical form, usually associated with the 1920s and modernist ideas," according to Nichols. Right there is value because if a teacher, for example, is looking for an interesting documentary to show to high school students, and that teacher has a copy of Nichols' Introduction to Documentary, he or she will definitely avoid a documentary that has "Poetic Mode" written on it by reviewers."
Abstract The paper examines the various forms of government, including, pluralism, social democracy, participatory democracy and the concept of elitism. The paper focuses on the system of military elitism where all citizens would be granted an equal opportunity to participate in the government, but, this participation would be founded upon the individuals' participation in the military of the country. The paper then considers the potential negative outcomes of military elitism but concludes with a positive perspective of this form of government.
Outline:
Who Should Rule
The Potential Political Venues
The Proposed System and Value of Military Elitism
The Elitism in Current Military Spending
The Arguments Against Military Elitist Government
Conclusion
From the Paper "The form of government which is perceived as the most fair in regards to both the connection and investment of the citizen with the government, alongside the citizen's capacity to obtain power through the government, is military elitism. In this form of government, participation would be limited to those who have served in the military. By establishing this requirement, it ensures that all those living within the country who wish to achieve political power must first help the country through serving it in the military. This would create a ruling class of individuals who have and will continue to serve the country, with hopefully its best intentions in mind."
Tags: social, participatory, democracy, pluralism, elite, policy, power
Abstract The Monkey Wrenches are a group of people who travel through the United States, protesting against the violation of natural desert by man-made construction sites, their motto being "Keep it Like It Was". This paper discusses the book "The Monkey Wrench Gang," by Edward Abbey. Specifically, it discusses where 'Monkey Wrenching' fits into protest politics as a bridge to mass movement politics. It also questions whether Monkey Wrenching is part of the fabric of participatory democracy. Finally, the paper questions whether Monkey Wrenching has a place in our participatory representative democracy, despite it being extraordinary politics.
From the Paper "Anyone who engages in political protest as the Monkey Wrench Gang does is engaging in extraordinary politics, outside the "normal" boundaries of political behavior. America is known for these political struggles of revolt and protest, from the war protesters during the 60s, who finally helped bring an end to the Vietnam War, to the Monkey Wrench Gang, who band together to fight a common enemy, the destruction of their beloved desert Southwest. Political protest does not always work, but it usually gains attention for the cause, and brings others to join the bandwagon. That is part of the purpose of political revolt, to bring the problem out in the open and get others involved. In the case of the Monkey Wrench Gang, they created an environmental movement called "Earth First!" that still exists today. Civil disobedience and political revolt are the ultimate form of democratic struggle, for it is almost always only found in a democratic system, where people are free to speak their minds, even if they do not speak the most popular notions."
