Participatory Opportunity for Women Emerging Researchers (POWER): Understanding Co-Researchers' Experiences with Participatory Action Research in STEM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand co-researchers’ experiences while conducting a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project to explore their development as a team of co-researchers and as individuals. My co-researchers and I implemented a PAR project to study the lived experiences of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors at the University of Cincinnati to inform undergraduate research program development. The current study is a process evaluation of the PAR approach that compiles and analyzes data such as group discussions, co-researcher reflections, and my own researcher memos. Findings revealed that co-researchers felt that their participation in the PAR group led to learning more about the experiences of women in STEM and enhanced their perceptions of their own experiences. Co-researchers also indicated gaining substantial knowledge about a broad array of research methods and participatory techniques within the field of action research. POWER members expressed both significant relationship development between co-researchers and personal growth and goal development throughout the PAR process.