ABSTRACT
This chapter expresses the participatory action research (PAR) is the most suitable research design for researchers willing to study human scale development (HSD) processes. PAR in Acostambo draws on two disciplinary traditions. The first relates with action research in organisations focussed on engaging experts, workers and managers in cooperative problem-solving by challenging entrenched values and practices. The second links to literacy and rural development projects concerned with reversing unjust situations through the empowerment of those suffering them. Both problem-solving and empowering participants through a deep analysis of reality resonate with the pillars of self-reliance, balanced articulations and human needs satisfaction that support HSD. The workshop in Vistas was devoted to analyse the parents' school's potential contribution to human needs fulfilment. Careful attention to processes during PAR projects and a long-term commitment with participants or communities can minimise the potentially tyrannical effects of engaging in participatory development.
