Developing Scholarly Dispositions While Becoming a Participatory Action Researcher

Abstract

Participatory action research can be difficult to enact, especially as a novice researcher. The tensions between remaining true to the heart of PAR while also reconceptualizing her own identity as a student, novice, teacher, scholar proved challenging. This feat was accomplished with a thorough understanding of participatory action research; the scholarly dispositions needed to engage in this work; and the guidance, support, and careful questioning of a dissertation chair and committee. This chapter includes an overview of the methodology, participatory action research with photovoice; the possibility of unique scholarly dispositions needed by doctoral candidates interested in action-oriented methodologies; the author's own dissertation experiences; and concludes with lessons learned throughout the dissertation. Although a framework for the scholarly dispositions specifically for action-oriented methodologies is yet to be determined, the dissertation journey shared in this chapter could be a launching point for such work to occur.