ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the philosophical underpinnings of participatory action learning and action research (PALAR), and the characteristics and principles that govern its use. It discusses features of PALAR that make it suitable for developing democratic, mutually rewarding research partnerships between members of the academy and external stakeholders, for community engagement purposes, or within institutions, in the form of professional learning communities to improve practice. The philosophical principles of PALAR provide standards of judgement against which the practice of PALAR can be assessed. Importantly, the discussion also highlights what PALAR is not and sets the parameters for ensuring it is applied with integrity and is true to its transformative and emancipatory paradigm. It is essential that researchers who intend to use PALAR critically examine their own philosophical stances to ensure they are in alignment with the PALAR approach.
