A Non-Traditional Research Method

Community-Based Participatory Research

(CBPR)

Today, I’d like to discuss…

CBPR Rationale Definition Underlying principals Challenges & Benefits

Application to a study “Statewide Assessment of Sexuality Education in

Florida’s Public Schools”

How are academic researchers perceived?

Rational for conducting research differently…

Increasing research evidence that: Poor health outcomes are associated with social & physical environment stressors

Skills, strengths & resources exist within communities & among members that can address stressors

Rational for conducting research differently…

Historically, communities involved in research have:

Rarely directly benefited from research findings

At times, been harmed by research process & dissemination of findings

Often been denied influence over the research process

Rational for conducting research differently…

This has resulted in:Distrust of, & reluctance to participate in research

Interventions that are not as effective as possible

Calls for more comprehensive & participatory approaches to research & practice

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Research that takes a partnership approach

All partners:Participate in each aspect of research processContribute their own expertiseShare responsibility & ownership

Goal:Enhance understanding & capacity to address priority issuesApply new understanding & capacity to develop & implement interventions tailored to community context & needs

Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998

Community-Basedvs.

Community-Placed

Community

ParticipationCan be health-enhancing in & of itself*

Basic tenet of empowerment

Improves quality of intervention design & implementation

Requires professional/researcher to give up some control

*Eng, et al.

Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation

8) Citizen Participation7) Delegated Power6) Partnership

Degrees of Citizen Power

5) Placation4) Consultation

Degrees of Tokenism

3) Informing2) Therapy1) Manipulation

Non-participation

Arnstein, SR (1969) AIP Journal, 216-224

Principles of CBPR

Recognizes community as unit of identity

Begins with & builds on community’s strengths/resources

Facilitates collaborative, equitable partnership in all phases of research

Promotes co-learning & capacity building among partners

Integrates & creates a balance between knowledge generation & action for mutual benefit of all partners Schulz, et al., 1998

Principles of CBPR

Schulz, et al., 1998

Emphasizes & addresses community priorities – at multiple socio-ecological levels

Involves systems development through a cyclical & iterative process

Involves a long-term process & commitment

Disseminates findings to & by all partners & community

Challenges of using a CBPR approach

Very time consuming - for all partners

Trust among partners is fragile

Who to include in partnership – to ensure representation?

Including partners in all ‘day-to-day’ decision making

Dissemination of findings in timely, useful way

Risk of ‘taking a stand’ for social changeIsrael, et al., 1998; Lopez,

2005

Benefits of using a CBPR approach: Contributions to communities & science

Enhances relevance & use of data

Enhances intervention design & implementation

Increases quality & validity of research/findings

Has potential to translate research findings to guide development of further interventions & policy change

Israel, et al., 1998

Benefits of using a CBPR approach: Contributions to communities & science

Provides resources for communities involved

Joins partners with diverse expertise

Increases trust & bridges cultural gaps among partners

Interventions, & knowledge gained directly benefit the community

Israel, et al., 1998