scholarly journals It Starts with a Conversation: The Importance of Values as Building Blocks of Engagement Strategies in Community-Centered Public Health Research

Author(s):  
Ewelina M. Swierad ◽  
Terry T.-K. Huang

This study examined the life-motivating values of residents in underserved minority communities to inform the development of community engagement strategies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the main research questions: (1) what were the values of research participants, and (2) what did they consider important in their lives? The participants included twenty-seven ethnically diverse individuals living in low-income neighborhoods in New York City (NYC). Thematic analysis was performed to identify common themes and patterns related to the values that participants considered important in their lives. Three broad themes were identified: (1) benevolence; (2) universalism, and (3) self-direction. Benevolence implies a sense of belonging as the central meaning in life; community engagement strategies focused on this value emphasize concern for the welfare of loved ones. Community engagement strategies focused on universalism emphasize social justice and concern for the environment and the world. Finally, community engagement strategies focused on self-direction seek to satisfy participants’ needs for control, autonomy, and mastery. This study introduces the Value-Based Framework for Community-Centered Research. It illustrates how value exploration is central to a community-centered approach to public health research and can be an important first step for designing studies that are better aligned with community needs and contexts. Such an approach can also help to co-create a “research identity” with community members and integrate their values into a project’s purpose, thereby increasing community ownership and engagement in the study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Hobden ◽  
R A J Borst ◽  
A Al-Metleq ◽  
M O Kok

Abstract Background The previous decades of research have contributed tremendously to the improvement of health. Nonetheless, problems remain regarding the use and relevance of public health research. Knowledge translation methods, such as deliberative dialogues, are believed to increase the use and relevance of such research. However, little is known about how they increase the impact of public health research. This study sought to trace the impact of deliberative dialogues through an actor-scenario approach. Actor-scenario mapping asks key actors to describe how and by whom research findings may potentially be used. This allows for constructing more concrete action plans. Methods This study used a qualitative case-study design with semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and a survey. The study focused on a Jordanian deliberative dialogue organised in April 2019. Interviews were conducted with 15 key stakeholders before and after the dialogue. Observations and surveys were collected during the dialogue. An abductive approach to thematic analysis was used to arrive at key themes for the report. Results The results show that dialogue participants found it difficult to propose concrete scenarios for action. They described that the sensitive nature of some research topics impairs action. Additionally, participants proposed that research funding should be earmarked for concrete actions. Overall, their scenarios proposed that high-level decision makers maintain involved in the knowledge to action process. Some participants mentioned that the articulation of scenarios for action contributes to research impact, since researchers usually do not engage with potential users. Conclusions Actor-scenario mapping is an innovative way of understanding how deliberative dialogues increase the impact of public health research. This scenario approach can inform the organisation of deliberative dialogues by actors such as EVIPNet. Key messages Actor-scenario mapping can trace the impact of deliberative dialogues. The scenario approach can better align the dialogues with policy and practice.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn McCarthy ◽  
Cathy Ure ◽  
Penny A Cook

UNSTRUCTURED Abstract Social media plays an increasing role in the dissemination of public health research. For public health research projects, a Twitter account holds the potential to disseminate research outcomes to other public health academics, professionals and policymakers. Aims The study examined users’ interactions with the Twitter account of a single research project. Specifically, it (i) measured the relationship between tweet content, using a tweet content score (TCS), and tweet success measured in engagements and impressions; and (ii) explored in depth, the motivations, opinions and experiences of public health academics and professionals using the micro blogging platform Twitter. Methods All Twitter Analytics data for the identified account were retrieved (n= 119 tweets) and the relationship between tweet content and success analysed. Seven stakeholders participated in semi-structured interviews to explore attitudes and motivations around engagement with Twitter. Results A positive correlation between TCS and tweet success was found. Tweets containing at least one mention had significantly greater impressions (551.48 compared to 232.00) and engagements (10.65 compared to 4.42). Tweets containing an image had a significant increase in engagements (13.13 compared to 8.29) but no effect on impressions. Qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed the importance of topic, positivity, and instruction in tweet content. Concerns with platform use related to legitimacy, negative experiences and lack of user confidence. Conclusions The study supports previous research findings. Twitter is a useful tool for public health dissemination and a positive association between TCS and tweet success exists. It is hoped that the findings of this research may be of use to other public health projects using Twitter for dissemination and impact.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharinne Crawford ◽  
Stacey Hokke ◽  
Jan M. Nicholson ◽  
Lawrie Zion ◽  
Jayne Lucke ◽  
...  

Purpose The internet offers an opportunity for researchers to engage participants in research in a cost-effective and timely manner. Yet the use of the internet as a research tool (internet research) comes with a range of ethical concerns, and the rapidly changing online environment poses challenges for both researchers and ethics committees. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the key ethical issues of using the internet to recruit, retain and trace participants in public health research, from the perspectives of researchers and human research ethics committee (HREC) members. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with eight public health researchers and seven HREC members in Australia to explore the key ethical issues of using the internet to engage research participants. Findings The study identified commonalities between researchers and HREC members regarding the utility and ethical complexity of using the internet to recruit, retain and trace research participants. The need for guidance and support regarding internet research, for both groups, was highlighted, as well as the need for flexibility and responsiveness in formal ethical processes. Originality/value This research contributes to the understanding of how the internet is used to engage participants in public health research and the ethical context in which that occurs. Supporting the ethical conduct of internet research will benefit those involved in research, including researchers, HRECs, organisations and research participants.


2020 ◽  
pp. 263-286
Author(s):  
Amy Carroll-Scott

Community residents, and the community-based nonprofit and grassroots organizations who serve them, are important actors in urban public health. This chapter discusses challenges in effectively engaging community actors in urban health research and practice, as well as strategies for effective partnerships to overcome these challenges. Key challenges include addressing the history of mistrust between urban populations and research, making research relevant to community needs, and engaging communities in all phases of research. Community engagement and partnerships are fundamental to cross-sector collaborations in urban public health research and interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Amri ◽  
Christina Angelakis ◽  
Dilani Logan

Abstract Objective Through collating observations from various studies and complementing these findings with one author’s study, a detailed overview of the benefits and drawbacks of asynchronous email interviewing is provided. Through this overview, it is evident there is great potential for asynchronous email interviews in the broad field of health, particularly for studies drawing on expertise from participants in academia or professional settings, those across varied geographical settings (i.e. potential for global public health research), and/or in circumstances when face-to-face interactions are not possible (e.g. COVID-19). Results Benefits of asynchronous email interviewing and additional considerations for researchers are discussed around: (i) access transcending geographic location and during restricted face-to-face communications; (ii) feasibility and cost; (iii) sampling and inclusion of diverse participants; (iv) facilitating snowball sampling and increased transparency; (v) data collection with working professionals; (vi) anonymity; (vii) verification of participants; (viii) data quality and enhanced data accuracy; and (ix) overcoming language barriers. Similarly, potential drawbacks of asynchronous email interviews are also discussed with suggested remedies, which centre around: (i) time; (ii) participant verification and confidentiality; (iii) technology and sampling concerns; (iv) data quality and availability; and (v) need for enhanced clarity and precision.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 89-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna F. Stroup ◽  
C. Kay Smith ◽  
Benedict I. Truman

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