scholarly journals Power and politics in research design and practice: Opening up space for social equity in interdisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional and community-based research

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valoree Gagnon ◽  
Hugh Gorman ◽  
Emma Norman
Keyword(s):  
Good Practice ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Research Engagement ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Fish Consumption Advisories ◽  
Design And Practice

Working collaboratively with communities is commonly considered a cornerstone of good practice in research involving social-ecological concerns. Increasingly, funding agencies also recognise that such collaborations are most productive when community partners have some influence on the design and implementation of the projects that benefit from their participation. However, researchers engaged with this work often struggle to actively engage community members in this way and, in particular, Indigenous peoples. In this article, we argue that useful strategies for facilitating such engagement are to leave space in the research plan for questions of interest to community partners and to encourage equitable interactions between all participants through the use of forums in which power dynamics are intentionally flattened. We demonstrate the use of this technique in an interdisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional research study involving the fate and transport of toxic compounds that lead to fish consumption advisories throughout the world. In this project, the use of participatory forums resulted in community partners in Michigan’s Keweenaw Bay area of Lake Superior shaping a key aspect of the research by raising the simple but significant question: ‘When can we eat the fish?’. Their interest in this question also helped to ensure that they would remain meaningful partners throughout the duration of the project. The conclusion emphasises that further integration of Indigenous and community-based research methods has the potential to significantly enhance the process and value of university-community research engagement in the future.

scholarly journals Caught up in power: Exploring discursive frictions in community research

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Hanson ◽  
Adeyemi Ogunade
Keyword(s):  
Research Process ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
Power Asymmetries ◽  
Research Relationships

This article outlines the debate around the emancipatory claims of community-based research (CBR) and identifies discursive frictions as a pivotal point upon which much of CBR practice revolves. Using a Foucauldian theoretical lens, we suggest that CBR is neither inherently emancipatory nor repressive, but that research outcomes are more often a product of power asymmetries in CBR relationships. To illustrate how power asymmetries in research relationships produce discursive frictions, several studies from our work and the literature are presented. The article provides examples of CBR relationships between the researcher and community members and relationships within the community to illustrate how power asymmetries and discursive frictions in these relationships dynamically influence research outcomes and thus alert researchers to the need to address power asymmetries not just before initiating CBR projects, but during CBR projects as well. We interrogate how power asymmetries and discursive frictions operate and are constructed in CBR in an attempt to highlight how research might be conducted more effectively and ethically. Finally, we indicate that some of the tensions and challenges associated with CBR might be ameliorated by the use of participatory facilitation methodologies, such as photo-voice and story circle discussion groups, that draw attention to power asymmetries and purposefully use more creative participatory tools to restructure power relationships and ultimately address the inequities that exist in the research process. Because CBR is continually caught up in power dynamics, we hope that highlighting some examples might offer an opportunity for increased dialogue and critical reflection on its claims of empowerment and emancipation.Keywords: discursive friction, Foucault, participatory methodologies, power asymmetries, research relationships, emancipatory research  

Utilization of Collaborations to Engage Children in Physical Activity: A Community-Based Research Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-328
Author(s):  
Sheri J. Brock ◽  
Danielle Wadsworth ◽  
Shelby Foote ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Quality Product ◽  
Long Term Impact

Institutions of higher education have a responsibility to prioritize the needs of society and local communities. One essential need prevalent in all communities is to address the rise of obesity and health risks due to lack of participation in physical activity. In the United States, children spend a small percentage of time engaged in physical activity, and engagement decreases further in adolescence and adulthood. Collaborative partnerships between kinesiology faculty at universities and community organizations are one avenue for engaging children in physical activity. Partnerships must be multilevel and community wide to evoke change and have long-term impact and sustainability. Within the context of community-based research, we propose a three-step framework for establishing collaborative partnerships: (1) determining the needs of partners; (2) discussing expertise, services, and philosophy; and (3) providing a quality product. In addition, we outline and illustrate our experiences when collaborating with community partners to promote physical activity.

scholarly journals Community-Based Research: Perspectives of Psychology Researchers and Community Partners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Racine ◽  
Sheri Madigan ◽  
Shelley Cardinal ◽  
Cailey Hartwick ◽  
Margaret Leslie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Community Context ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Psychology Programs ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Learning Gap ◽  
Research Perspectives

There is now a growing understanding that translational research must be co-created in collaboration with community partners and that solutions to real-world social problems require stepping outside the academic silo. Fewer than half of psychology programs in Canada, however, offer courses in community-based research or evaluation, leaving a gap in skill development amongst the next generation of scholars. In an effort to partially fill this learning gap, the current paper provides insights into lessons learned from the perspectives of researchers and community partners alike, who have been mutually engaging in community-based research over the last 25 years. Ultimately this paper seeks to provide a roadmap for conducting community-based research and illustrates why it should be a central component to research seeking to answer critical questions in psychological science. First, we provide a conceptual foundation of community-based research. Next, using three specific community-based research projects as examples, we share the challenges and benefits of conducting research in the community context. Finally, we highlight future directions for increasing the uptake of community-based research in Canada.

scholarly journals A framework for entry: PAR values and engagement strategies in community research

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Ochocka ◽  
Elin Moorlag ◽  
Rich Janzen
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Sensitive Topics ◽  
Collaborative Community

The purpose of this article is twofold: to explore the entry process in community-based research when researching sensitive topics; and to suggest a framework for entry that utilises the values of participatory action research (PAR). The article draws on a collaborative community-university research study that took place in the Waterloo and Toronto regions of Ontario, Canada, from 2005–2010. The article emphasises that community entry is not only about recruitment strategies for research participants or research access to community but it is also concerned with the ongoing engagement with communities during various stages of the research study. The indicator of success is a well established and trusted community-researcher relationship. This article first examines this broader understanding of entry, then looks at how community research entry can be shaped by an illustrative framework, or guide, that uses a combination of participatory action research (PAR) values and engagement strategies. Key words: research entry, community engagement, participatory action research, mental health and cultural diversity

Grounded in Culture: Reflections on Sitting Outside the Circle in Community-Based Research With Indigenous Men

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 2343-2350
Author(s):  
Candice M. Waddell ◽  
Rachel V. Herron ◽  
Jason Gobeil ◽  
Frank Tacan ◽  
Margaret De Jager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Indigenous Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Research Paradigms ◽  
Reflexive Practice

Research continues to be a dirty word for many Indigenous people. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a means to disrupt power dynamics by engaging community members within the research process. However, the majority of relationships between researcher and participants within CBPR are structured within Western research paradigms and they often reproduce imbalances of power. The purpose of this article is to reflect on the process of CBPR within a research project focused on Indigenous men’s masculinity and mental health. In doing so, we aim to contribute to reflexive practice in CBPR and flatten research hierarchies to facilitate more equitable knowledge sharing. Our reflections highlight the importance of prioritizing healing, centering cultural protocols, negotiating language, and creating space for Indigenous research partners to lead. These critical lessons challenge Western researchers to ground their practices in Indigenous culture while they “sit outside the circle” to facilitate more equitable and engaged partnerships.

Community Partnerships: The Cornerstone of Community Health Research

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARMEN J. PORTILLO ◽  
CATHERINE WATERS
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Care Community ◽  
Unequal Treatment

Community partnerships have been recognized as the cornerstone of community research. The recent Institute of Medicine report, Unequal Treatment, puts forth the idea of creating community partnerships as a strategy to address racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Community-based research is frequently reported in the literature as a study conducted in the community versus with the community. The objective of this review is to examine models of community partnerships, to consider their implications for community-based research, and to identify directions for future nursing research.

Service Learning Partnership Between University And School Students: Experiential Learning Inspired Through Community Research

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Nandan
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Corporate Philanthropy ◽  
Community Research ◽  
School Students ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Community Based Research

This article describes a service learning project implemented jointly by undergraduate and high school students during summer.  The service learning project was designed through a Summer Research Institute hosted at a Midwestern University; the institute encouraged faculty to recruit undergraduate students who would partner with area high school students to conduct a community-based research project in their field of interest.  The article describes the partnership between students, as well as the experiential learning that occurred during: research topic identification, literature analysis, planning and implementing a mixed-methodology community-based research project, and during the qualitative and quantitative data analysis, by students.  Using a mosaic theory, the students inferred relationships between three apparently unrelated spheres of their research: challenges faced by youth in the community, financial health of social services for youth, and corporate philanthropy for youth services.  Recommendations for designing creative academic, experiential and service learning projects are offered for all educators. 

scholarly journals Challenges With Research Contract Negotiations in Community-Based Cancer Research

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. e626-e632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Thompson ◽  
Patricia A. Hurley ◽  
Bryan Faller ◽  
Jean Longinette ◽  
Katie Richter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Contract Negotiations ◽  
Contract Research ◽  
Research Organizations ◽  
Negotiation Processes ◽  
Research Contract

Purpose: Community-based research programs face many barriers to participation in clinical trials. Although the majority of people with cancer are diagnosed and treated in the community setting, only roughly 3% are enrolled onto clinical trials. Research contract and budget negotiations have been consistently identified as time consuming and a barrier to participation in clinical trials. ASCO’s Community Research Forum conducted a survey about specific challenges of research contract and budget negotiation processes in community-based research settings. The goal was to ultimately identify potential solutions to these barriers. Methods: A survey was distributed to 780 community-based physician investigators and research staff. The survey included questions to provide insight into contract and budget negotiation processes and perceptions about related barriers. Results: A total of 77% of the 150 respondents acknowledged barriers in the process. Respondents most frequently identified budget-related issues (n = 133), inefficiencies in the process (n = 80), or legal review and negotiation issues (n = 70). Of the respondents, 44.1% indicated that contract research organizations made the contract negotiations process harder for their research program, and only 5% believed contract research organizations made the process easier. The contract negotiations process is perceived to be impeded by sponsors through underestimation of costs, lack of flexibility with the contract language, and excessive delays. Conclusion: Improving clinical trial activation processes and reducing inefficiencies would be beneficial to all interested stakeholders, including patients who may ultimately stand to benefit from participation in clinical trials. The following key recommendations were made: standardization of contracts and negotiation processes to promulgate transparency and efficiencies, improve sponsor processes to minimize burden on sites, create and promote use of contract templates and best practices, and provide education and consultation.

Ethical Challenges Community-Based Researchers and Community-Based Organizations Face

2019 ◽  
pp. 101-120
Author(s):  
Margaret R. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Higher Learning ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Professional Boundaries ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning

Community-based research (CBR) has grown rapidly since its origins and has helped to make substantial and positive changes within communities. The goals of CBR are to collaborate with community-based organizations (CBOs) and community partners in culturally sensitive, synergistic relationships to address community-defined problems and find community-relevant solutions. This chapter focuses on the ethical challenges that community-based researchers and CBOs face when working with traditional Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to guide and evaluate their projects. Traditional IRB standards regarding informed consent, personal and professional boundaries, and decisions regarding risks and benefits to communities need to change. Academic researchers, community partners, IRBs, and institutions of higher learning must work together so that community-based researchers and CBOs can continue to work in community and communities for social justice and social change.

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