Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR)

 It is simply defined as a continuous and sustained process of educating, organizing, and

mobilizing people through community participation, action, and research.
 It is a community development approach that allows the community to systematically
analyze the situation, plan a solution and implement projects/programs utilizing the process
of community organizing.

PRINCIPLES:
 It is to address the oppressed, economically deprived, and marginalized people who greatly
in dire for change.
 It focuses on the best interests of the poorest sectors of the society.
 It should lead to a self- reliant community.

Phases of COPAR
1. Pre-entry phase
- It involves the selection of the target community. It should at least include 50 families
and criteria are utilized to determine their need for community organizing. Some
preliminary investigation is conducted using secondary records and ocular inspection
is done prior to emersion. The nurse should first coordinate with the local government
unit during this phase.
2. Entry phase
- It involves the integration process and the acquisition of relevant information
necessary for the conceptualization of the community diagnosis. It is also during this
phase that potential leaders are identified.

3. Formation phase

- It is the phase when a core group is created – which then be trained to develop their
capabilities in leading their community.

4. Organization- building phase

- This phase is the most crucial stage since it is during this time that the people are
mobilized through the creation of the community health organization.
 5. Sustenance and strengthening phase
- It is the end portion of COPAR but the most important phase. It is during this phase
by which the community and its people are being developed to be self- reliant.
POINTS OF COMPARISON & BASIC QUALITIES
POINTS OF COMPARISON TRADITIONAL
RESEARCH APPROACH
Decision Making  top-down
Emphasis  expert nurse driven
process
 much premuim is
placed on the data and
output
Roles  nurse as the
researcher;
community members
are subjects or objects
of research, usually
respondents
 data analysis is done
by the nurse, and then
presented in the
community
Methodology Research tools and
methodologies are
predetermined / prepackaged
by the nurse-organizer.
Output upon completion the study is
packaged, submitted to the
COPAR
 bottom-up
 community driven
process
 premium is placed on
the process
 community members
as researchers; the
nurse is a facilitator
and recorder.
 data analysis is done
collectively by the
community
Research tools and
methodologies and identified
and developed by the
community
conclusions and
recommendations are made
 agency, and published.
recommendations are made
by the researcher based on the actions/projects. the whole
findings of the study
by the community. these will
lead to agreed community
research cycle continues until
it becomes part of the
community life, leading
towards community
development. community
members formulate the
recommendations

Who is the Community Organizer? Basic Qualities of a Community Organizer

 It has exemplary professional and moral qualities

 It possesses good communications skills and able to lead small group
discussions/meeting and trainings.
 It has ability to set good leadership examples for the community to emulate
 It displays a charismatic personality that draws people towards the organizing work and
community activities.
 It adopts and enjoys working with and living with all types of community people
 It can empathize with the people
 It believes in vision of change, empowerment, and development.
 It has a personal conviction consistent with the values and principles being advocated.

Data Gathering Methods

1. Transect Walk – It is also known as “ocular survey” and is merely by observation. It
includes asking a group of community to come along and join, and take the lead in the
inspection. The nurse asks critical questions and allow them to analyze and draw
conclusions.
2. Mapping – It allows the people to view their community from a different perspective. It
also provides insights as to how they can deal effectively with community concerns.
 Resources Map – It shows the sources of their livelihood, such as farming area,
fishing grounds, grazing area, and water sources. It may also show physical
sources such as health centers, barangay health stations, churches, basketball
courts, and barangay halls.
 Health Map – It shows households with identified health problems such as
malnutrition, tuberculosis, diabetes, and diarrhea. Households with vulnerable
members (pregnant mothers, infants, persons with disabilities, and elderly) may
also be indicated.
 Seasonal Map – It shows various activities and events significant to the
community. It may focus on livelihood (planting season, harvest season, fishing
season); social events (fiesta, religious activities); or a historical mapping of
significant disasters that the community has experienced.
3. Venn Diagram – It focuses on relationships within the community, between the
community, and outside groups. It provides visual representation of the social support
systems.