Navigating Ethical Issues in Photovoice: Balancing the Principles of Community-Based Participatory Research Ethics with Institutional Review Board Requirements

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462110327
Author(s):  
Lauren E. McDonald ◽  
Moshoula Capous-Desyllas
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Institutional Review

This article reflects on ethical issues that arose during the course of two different evaluation projects that used photovoice method to engage with marginalized populations. The evaluations serve as case studies for a critical discussion about potential barriers that researchers may face when employing photovoice method while trying to balance the principles of community-based participatory research with the requirements of Institutional Review Boards. We reflect on ethical dilemmas related to the meaning of photography within the cultural context of participants’ lives, the compensation of participants as collaborators, and the representation and dissemination of participant photos. We conclude by examining how researchers may approach ethical requirements without compromising the important collaborative relationships central to photovoice method. We additionally call on researchers to engage with ethics review committees to create a new “participant–researcher” category with its own set of protocols that recognizes the nuanced role members of disenfranchised communities play in the research process.

scholarly journals Ethical Issues in Conducting Community-Based Participatory Research: A Narrative Review of the Literature

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crystal Kwan ◽  
Christine Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Community Based

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a methodology increasingly used within the social sciences. CBPR is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of research methodologies, including participatory research, participatory action research, feminist participatory research, action research, and collaborative inquiry. At its core, they share five key attributes: (i) community as a unit of identity; (ii) an approach for the vulnerable and marginalized; (iii) collaboration and equal partnership throughout the entire research process; (iv) an emergent, flexible, and iterative process; and (v) the research process is geared toward social action. While there is no shortage of literature that highlights the benefits and potential of CBPR, relatively little discussion exists on the ethical issues associated with the methodology. In particular, current gaps within the literature include ethical guidance in (i) balancing community values, needs, and identity with those of the individual; (ii) negotiating power dynamics and relationships; (iii) working with stigmatized populations; (iv) negotiating conflicting ethical requirements and expectations from Institutional Review Boards (IRBs); and (v) facilitating social action emerging from the findings. For CBPR’s commendable goals and potential to be realized, it is necessary to have a more fulsome discussion of the ethical issues encountered while implementing a CBPR study. Further, a lack of awareness and critical reflection on such ethical considerations may perpetuate the very same problems this methodology seeks to address, namely, inequality, oppression, and marginalization. The purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review of the literature that identifies ethical issues that may arise from conducting CBPR studies, and the recommendations by researchers to mitigate such challenges.

scholarly journals Preventing cardiovascular disease: Participant perspectives of the FAITH! Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1710-1723 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaPrincess C Brewer ◽  
Eleshia J Morrison ◽  
Joyce E Balls-Berry ◽  
Patrick Dean ◽  
Kandace Lackore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions

Striking cardiovascular health disparities exist among African-Americans in Minnesota compared to Whites; however, community-based interventions to address cardiovascular disease risk are lacking. This study explored participant perceptions of a culturally tailored, cardiovascular disease prevention program developed using a community-based participatory research process. Research participation perceptions, program benefits, and program satisfaction/acceptability were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. Overall, acceptability was high. Findings highlight the favorable inclusion of African-Americans (research perception), knowledge gained about healthy lifestyle practices (benefits), and quality of the curriculum/speakers (satisfaction). Community-based participatory research may be useful in fostering the acceptability of behavior change interventions among marginalized African-American communities.

Community-Based Participatory Research

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Marie Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Partnership Approach

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) embraces a partnership approach to research that equitably involves community members, organizational representatives, social workers, and researchers in all aspects of the research process. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community and has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change. It is community based in the sense that community members become part of the research team and researchers become engaged in the activities of the community. Community–researcher partnerships allow for a blending of values and expertise, promoting co-learning and capacity building among all partners, and integrating and achieving a balance between research and action for the mutual benefit of all partners. Various terms have been used to describe this research, including participatory action research (PAR), action research (AR), community based research (CBR), collaborative action research (CAR), anti-oppressive research, and feminist research.

Institutional Review Board Basics for Pedagogy Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Whitney Boling ◽  
Kathryn Berlin ◽  
Rhonda N. Rahn ◽  
Jody L. Vogelzang ◽  
Gayle Walter
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
History Of ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Human Participants

The institutional review board (IRB) process is often protracted and can be a source of frustration, especially when you want your research and publications to move apace. However, because of historical events, the IRB is an important requirement for conducting research with human participants and is regulated by federal oversite. When conducting research as part of a pedagogical study, it is important to identify which level of IRB review (exempt, expedited, or full board) is required. The purpose of this article is to highlight IRB basics within the United States for pedagogy research. Although there are guidelines internationally, this article specifically focuses on U.S. IRBs, including a brief history of the IRB, pedagogical and community-based participatory research, IRB review, tips for IRB submissions, and example case studies.

scholarly journals Community-based participatory health research: principles and practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Unger
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Participatory Health Research ◽  
Trust And Reciprocity

Abstract Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative approach to research that aims to improve the health of marginalized communities and reduce health disparities. It starts with a topic of concern for the community and involves iterative cycles of action and reflection to initiate change. Community members are involved as partners and trained as peer researchers to take an active role in the research process. Processes of capacity building and empowerment play a prominent role. As a general principle, participatory research does not primarily focus on health problems, but pays at least equal attention to the resources and capacities of communities. It places a strong focus on developing trust and reciprocity in research relationships. Regarding methodology, various empirical research methods are used in CBPR study designs, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods and arts-based methods. Arts-based methods such as photovoice, digital storytelling, mapping and drawings facilitate the expression of lived experience, including sensitive aspects, through creative verbal and non-verbal means. These methods expand the available means of expression and as such are highly valuable in research fields where verbal communication is challenged by language barriers and diverse cultural backgrounds as well as sensitive topics and experiences. Participatory health research has been conducted with diverse migrant and refugee groups internationally. Due to legal and other reasons, refugees may be limited in their capacities for participation. The presentation will discuss the strengths and limitations of CBPR including structural obstacles to equitable partnerships.

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