PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION THROUGH ACTION RESEARCH
PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION THROUGH ACTION RESEARCH

Summary/Abstract: Discrimination is a complex phenomenon increasingly present in modern society. The problem of this research is related to the presence of discrimination in everyday life against students of different ethnicity, socio-economic background, physical appearance, way of dressing, religious beliefs, and skin colour. Consequently, the main goal of this research is to prevent discrimination among students by resorting to action research. Firstly, the researchers identified and formulated the problem, which was followed by devising activities (a workshop, audio-visual presentations, and a debate). The research went through several phases and it was conducted in a form of experiments, comprising an experimental and control group. The experimental group comprised 24 students, 13 girls and 11 boys, while the control group comprised 24 students, 15 girls and 9 boys attending a primary school in Pirot, Serbia. The data obtained through the research indicate that there has been some advancement in preventing discrimination, as well as that implemented activities had a positive effect on students in the experimental group. The students in the experimental group significantly developed and started manifesting prosocial behavior in comparison with the control group. Through discourse analysis with the students from the experimental group it has been established that there were positive changes in their behavior and in understanding the significance of observing a situation from another person´s perspective. Preventive action against the occurrence of discrimination in schools should become an integral part of educational practice because this would create a positive atmosphere and encourage prosocial behavior among students.

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