Observation is a way to gather data by watching people, events, or noting physical characteristics in their natural setting. Observations can be overt (subjects know they are being observed) or covert (do not know they are being watched).
Participatory action research is a recognized form of experimental research that focuses on the effects of the researcher's direct actions of practice within a participatory community. This "learning by doing" approach to research is a cyclical process in which groups of people identify a problem, attempt to resolve it, see how successful their efforts were, and if not satisfied, try again.
Try a variety of terms in addition to participatory action research, such as:
(adapted from Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3 ed.). Sage Publications.)
The Action Research Planner by 
Contemporary Research Methods in Pharmacy and Health Services by 
Ethnography in Action by 
Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods by 
The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Methods in Health Research by 
