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able to bridge the gap between themselves and other groups; (iv) other
store houses of information are shared before the researcher leaves; (v) the
community recognises their own and the researchers knowledge and
wisdom; (v) and the community can be trained and also conduct research
where necessary.
White et al (2004:3) argue that other benefits involving participants include
the development of more pertinent research questions, user-friendly
instruments, acceptable interventions, thorough data analysis and effective
dissemination strategies. The authors further illustrate that using the PAR
approach could improve the credibility and validity of research, increase the
utilisation and sustainability of research-based programs, and enhance
consumer empowerment. PAR has been used in anthropology, applied
behaviour analysis, business, community psychology, disability research,
educi!tion, epidemiology, and health promotion.
The Regional Community Forestry Training Centre [Recoftc] (2006: 1)
illustrates that local people's participation has been increasingly advocated
as a desirable approach for the management of natural resources. Recoftc
further illustrates that action research is a process of learning in-order to be
more effective in future situations. It enables communities to not only share
information and their resources' management experiences with external
support agencies, but also increase their potential for collective action.
Additionally, it helps communities collectively resolve problems and have
control over the management of their own resources while sharing
responsibilities and making decisions.
A Widely quoted project that has generated remarkable developmental
success is the "Village Information shops", Pondicherry, of the Swaminathan
Research foundation, India. These Village information shops consist of 10
villages networked within a hybrid wired and wireless network of public tele­
centres eqUipped with PC's, telephones, VHF duplex radio devises and e-mail
connectivity through dial-up telephone lines, which cater for voice and data
transfer. Through initial surveys, a highly detailed picture of the nature of
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