This study aims to emphasize the importance of taking into account the perspectives of prospective participants and identifying potential tensions in action research.
This paper reflects on a (participatory) action research (AR) project in which the first author was involved as an embedded researcher. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, field notes and observed project activities. The authors conducted a thematic analysis.
This paper thematically categorized four types of tensions between both groups. These were tensions connected to: internal facilitators giving guidance, project goals, top-down expectations and unfamiliarity with AR working formats.
Quintessential to AR is giving the less privileged a voice. For this to work, gaining a good understanding of their perspectives is crucial.
This paper challenges the implicit assumption that prospective participants of AR projects are always willing to participate.
