The YPAR research cycle is broken down into 4 phases (Ozer et al., 2015) to help guide research collaborators in a school-based YPAR (SchYPAR) experience. These four phases provide a framework that engages youth in meaningful research and equips them with essential skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and advocacy.
YPAR Phases and Steps
Phase 1 serves as an introduction to YPAR within schools, emphasizing the significance of power-sharing roles between teachers and students. At the heart of this phase lies the crucial task of identifying a school and community issue, prompting collaborators to delve into thought-provoking questions: What are the most critical issues in our school? What aspects of this issue require change? What are the overarching goals for addressing this issue?
Within this collaborative exploration, educators and students actively engage in open discussions and reflective dialogues, fostering a sense of collective agency and shared responsibility. By embracing diverse perspectives and valuing the lived experiences of all participants, Phase 1 establishes a foundation for genuine collaboration, ensuring that the research process authentically reflects the needs and aspirations of the school community.
Steps in this Phase:
Step 1: Understand YPAR and Get Ready for Your Project
Step 2: Identify the Issue
Phase 2 serves as a comprehensive guide to data collection, offering a detailed breakdown of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This pivotal phase prompts critical inquiries, such as: What specific information is required to effectively address the identified issue? Whose perspectives and insights will provide a deeper understanding of the problem? How can this information be obtained in a thorough and reliable manner? What research methods are best suited to shed light on the complexities of the issue at hand?
Within this phase, collaborators embark on a deliberate exploration of various data collection strategies, carefully considering their strengths, limitations, and alignment with the research goals. Phase 2 equips collaborators with the necessary tools to gather comprehensive and robust data sets. These data sets serve as the building blocks for subsequent phases of analysis and interpretation, enabling evidence-based insights and informing impactful actions to address the identified issue.
Steps in this Phase:
Step 3: Decide on Research Method
Step 4: Plan for Data Collection
Step 5A. Use Qualitative Methods or Step 5B: Use Quantitative Methods
Phase 3 is a crucial stage that offers comprehensive guidelines and techniques for effectively analyzing the collected data. This phase prompts essential questions, such as: What valuable insights have been gained from the data? What notable trends or themes emerge from the analysis? What reflections and evaluations are necessary to inform the subsequent actions?
During Phase 3, collaborators delve into the data to identify patterns, trends, and connections, seeking to uncover the underlying dynamics and complexities of the identified issue. This critical analysis provides a solid foundation for evidence-based decision-making and the formulation of meaningful recommendations. Moreover, Phase 3 encourages deep reflection and evaluation, allowing collaborators to critically assess the implications of the findings and their relevance to the overall goals of the YPAR project.
Steps in this Phase:
Step 6: Organize and Analyze Data
Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
The moment has arrived to translate knowledge into action! Phase 4 is dedicated to empowering collaborators to leverage the insights gained from the research and drive tangible change within schools and communities. In this transformative phase, collaborators engage in dynamic processes aimed at brainstorming actionable recommendations, identifying key advocates to support the project, and devising strategies to effectively disseminate the research findings to a wider audience.
Within Phase 4, collaborators harness the wealth of knowledge obtained through the research process to generate innovative and practical recommendations. Drawing upon the findings, they explore creative solutions and interventions that address the root causes of the identified issue, with a keen focus on creating meaningful impact. Collaborators pool their collective expertise and diverse perspectives, fostering an environment of collaboration and co-creation to ensure that the recommendations are comprehensive and holistic.
Steps in this Phase:
Step 8: Use Research for Change
Step 9: Prepare for the Presentations
Step 10: Celebrate and Share
