PAR is collaborative research, learning & action used to gather information to use for change on social or environmental issues. It involves people who are concerned about or affected by an issue taking a leading role in producing and using knowledge about it. 
PAR is distinct because:

 

• it is driven by a group of people who have a stake in

the social and environmental issues being researched.

• it offers a democratic model of who can produce, own and use knowledge,

• it is collaborative at every stage, involving discussion, pooling skills and working together.

• it is intended to result in some action, change or improvement on the issue being researched. (Kindon 2008).