The facilitator in participatory action research: les raisons d'etre

Participatory action research (PAR) is a form of qualitative inquiry that posits a collaborative, self-reflective process among its participants to develop knowledge. The researcher, along with the participants in this critical research process, identify and illustrate their individual concerns, beliefs, and values. The role of the researcher, as facilitator, is an extremely important social and political position within the participant group, within nursing, and within society. However, how the nurse as facilitator initially "guides" the discussions within the participatory group is a contentious issue for researchers involved in PAR.