Participatory action research (PAR) is a methodology and perspective of research and action that promotes research as a tool for social change, via the active participation of those involved in knowledge generation, from project design and data collection, to the actions resulting from the process (Fals-Borda, 2015: 320). The ultimate goal of PAR is for members of socially and economically disadvantaged groups to take on an active role in managing their organizations and communities, and influence processes that directly or indirectly affect their quality of life and exercise of self-determination.

According to the Frascati manual, “applied research is fundamentally directed towards a specific practical objective or purpose. It is undertaken to determine the possible uses of the results of basic research, or to determine new methods or ways of achieving specific predetermined objectives” (OCDE, 2015: p.54).

This type of research is intended to build or develop new knowledge in order to solve a specific need identified, which, in the case of this Call, is related to the communities and territories of the Colombian Pacific region. To do so, all existing and available knowledge to solve the identified problem situation must be considered, as include the participation and fully informed consent of the community involved.

References: Fals Borda, O. (2015). Una sociología sentipensante para América Latina. CLACSO (Vol. 53). Bogotá:CLACSO/Siglo del Hombre Editors.https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

OCDE (2015), Frascati Manual 2015: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development, The Measurement of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Activities. Publicado por acuerdo con la OCDE, París (Francia). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264239012-en