Community based research: Building Stronger Connections: How Community based Research Drives Collaboration

1. What is Community-based Research and Why is it Important?

community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address a common problem or issue. CBR aims to produce knowledge that is relevant, useful, and beneficial for the community, as well as to enhance the capacity and empowerment of the community members. CBR is important for several reasons, such as:

- It fosters mutual learning and respect between researchers and community members, who bring different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the research process.

- It increases the validity and reliability of the research findings, as they are grounded in the lived realities and needs of the community.

- It promotes social change and action, as the research results are shared and applied to improve the conditions and well-being of the community.

- It builds stronger connections and partnerships among researchers, community members, and other stakeholders, who can work together to address complex and interrelated issues.

Some examples of CBR projects are:

- A study on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and resilience of low-income families, conducted by a university and a local non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides social services and support to the families.

- A project on the development and evaluation of a community-based intervention to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth, led by a community coalition that includes youth, parents, teachers, health workers, and researchers.

- A research on the best practices and challenges of urban gardening, initiated by a group of residents who want to create and maintain a community garden in their neighborhood, with the assistance of a local environmental NGO and a university faculty.

2. How it Enhances Knowledge, Skills, and Relationships?

One of the main advantages of conducting community-based research is that it fosters a deeper understanding of the issues, needs, and strengths of the communities involved. By engaging with diverse stakeholders, researchers can gain valuable insights that may not be accessible through conventional methods. Moreover, community-based research can enhance the knowledge, skills, and relationships of both researchers and community members, leading to mutual benefits and positive outcomes. Some of the ways that community-based research can achieve these goals are:

- 1. It promotes collaborative learning and knowledge exchange. Community-based research involves a partnership between researchers and community members, where both parties contribute their expertise, perspectives, and resources to the research process. This creates a dynamic and interactive learning environment, where knowledge is co-created and shared. For example, a community-based research project on food security in rural Kenya involved local farmers, extension workers, and researchers in designing and implementing sustainable agricultural practices. The project resulted in improved crop yields, increased income, and enhanced food security for the farmers, as well as new insights and publications for the researchers.

- 2. It develops relevant and applicable skills for research and practice. Community-based research provides opportunities for researchers and community members to develop and apply various skills that are useful for conducting and disseminating research, as well as for addressing real-world problems. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and cultural competence. For instance, a community-based research project on mental health among refugees in Canada involved training and mentoring refugee peer researchers, who conducted interviews, focus groups, and surveys with their fellow refugees. The project helped the peer researchers to develop research skills, as well as to enhance their self-confidence, social networks, and mental well-being.

- 3. It strengthens relationships and trust among research partners and stakeholders. Community-based research builds on the principles of respect, reciprocity, and mutual benefit, which foster a sense of trust and commitment among the research partners and stakeholders. By involving community members in the design, implementation, and dissemination of the research, community-based research ensures that the research is relevant, ethical, and responsive to the community's needs and interests. Furthermore, community-based research can create opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy among different groups and sectors within and beyond the community. For example, a community-based research project on environmental justice in Detroit involved residents, activists, academics, and policymakers in examining and addressing the impacts of industrial pollution on the health and quality of life of the community. The project led to the formation of a coalition that advocated for environmental justice policies and initiatives at the local and state levels.

3. How to Overcome Barriers and Risks?

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Community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address a common problem or issue. CBR aims to produce knowledge that is relevant, useful, and beneficial for the community, as well as to foster social change and empowerment. However, CBR also poses many challenges for both researchers and community members, such as ethical, methodological, logistical, and relational issues. In this segment, we will discuss some of the common barriers and risks that CBR practitioners may encounter, and suggest some strategies to overcome them.

- Ethical challenges: CBR involves working with human participants who may be vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed. Therefore, ethical considerations are paramount in CBR, such as ensuring informed consent, protecting confidentiality, respecting cultural diversity, and avoiding harm or exploitation. Some of the ways to address these challenges are:

- Establishing a clear and transparent agreement with the community partners about the goals, roles, expectations, and benefits of the research project.

- Obtaining approval from relevant ethics committees or boards, as well as from the community leaders or representatives.

- Developing and implementing culturally appropriate and participatory methods of data collection and analysis, such as interviews, focus groups, surveys, or action research.

- Sharing and disseminating the research findings and recommendations with the community in an accessible and respectful manner, such as through reports, presentations, workshops, or publications.

- Methodological challenges: CBR involves balancing the rigor and validity of the research with the relevance and usefulness of the results for the community. Therefore, methodological challenges may arise, such as defining the research question, selecting the research design, collecting and analyzing the data, and evaluating the outcomes. Some of the ways to address these challenges are:

- Engaging the community members in all stages of the research process, from planning to dissemination, and ensuring their input and feedback are valued and incorporated.

- Adopting a flexible and adaptive approach that allows for changes and adjustments in the research plan, based on the emerging needs and realities of the community.

- Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data, as well as multiple sources and perspectives, to enhance the comprehensiveness and credibility of the research.

- Applying a participatory and reflexive evaluation framework that assesses the process and impact of the research, as well as the lessons learned and the implications for future practice.

- Logistical challenges: CBR involves working in complex and dynamic settings that may pose practical difficulties, such as accessing the community, recruiting and retaining the participants, managing the resources and time, and coordinating the activities and communication. Some of the ways to address these challenges are:

- Building and maintaining a trusting and respectful relationship with the community partners, based on mutual understanding, appreciation, and support.

- Identifying and mobilizing the existing strengths and assets of the community, such as local knowledge, networks, organizations, or facilities, to facilitate the research process.

- Securing and allocating adequate and sustainable resources, such as funding, equipment, staff, or volunteers, to ensure the quality and feasibility of the research project.

- Establishing and following a clear and realistic timeline and work plan, as well as a regular and effective communication system, to monitor and manage the progress and challenges of the research project.

- Relational challenges: CBR involves working with diverse and multiple stakeholders who may have different interests, expectations, agendas, or power dynamics. Therefore, relational challenges may emerge, such as managing the conflicts, tensions, or disagreements, ensuring the participation and representation, and sustaining the collaboration and commitment. Some of the ways to address these challenges are:

- Creating and nurturing a shared vision and mission for the research project, as well as a common language and understanding of the key concepts and terms.

- Developing and implementing a participatory and inclusive governance structure and decision-making process, that respects and balances the voices and roles of all the stakeholders.

- Resolving and preventing the potential or actual conflicts, tensions, or disagreements, through dialogue, negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, as well as acknowledging and celebrating the achievements and contributions of all the stakeholders.

- Fostering and sustaining a long-term and meaningful partnership with the community, that goes beyond the research project, and that supports the ongoing learning, action, and change.

4. How to Plan, Conduct, and Evaluate Collaborative Projects?

Community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address a common problem or issue. CBR aims to produce useful knowledge that can inform action and social change, while also empowering and benefiting the community. CBR can take various forms and methods, depending on the context, goals, and participants of the research project. However, some general principles and best practices can guide CBR practitioners in planning, conducting, and evaluating their collaborative projects. Here are some of them:

- 1. Establish a clear and shared purpose. CBR projects should have a clear and shared purpose that is relevant and meaningful to both the researchers and the community. The purpose should reflect the needs, interests, and values of the community, as well as the research objectives and questions. The purpose should also be aligned with the vision and mission of the community organization or group that is involved in the project. A clear and shared purpose can help to foster trust, commitment, and ownership among the project partners.

- 2. Build and maintain respectful and reciprocal relationships. CBR projects should be based on respectful and reciprocal relationships between the researchers and the community members. Respect means acknowledging and valuing the diverse perspectives, experiences, and knowledge of each partner, and honoring their autonomy and dignity. Reciprocity means ensuring that each partner benefits from the project, and that the benefits are fairly distributed and mutually agreed upon. Building and maintaining respectful and reciprocal relationships requires ongoing communication, negotiation, and feedback among the project partners.

- 3. Engage in co-learning and capacity building. CBR projects should involve co-learning and capacity building for both the researchers and the community members. Co-learning means that each partner learns from and with each other, and that the learning process is interactive, participatory, and reflective. Capacity building means that each partner enhances their skills, knowledge, and abilities to conduct and use research, and to address the issues that matter to them. Co-learning and capacity building can help to increase the quality and relevance of the research, and to foster empowerment and sustainability of the project outcomes.

- 4. Use appropriate and flexible methods. CBR projects should use appropriate and flexible methods that suit the purpose, context, and participants of the project. Appropriate methods are those that are culturally sensitive, ethically sound, and scientifically rigorous. Flexible methods are those that can adapt to the changing needs, circumstances, and opportunities of the project. CBR projects should also use a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, and employ participatory and creative techniques, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, storytelling, mapping, photography, and video.

- 5. Disseminate and apply the findings. CBR projects should disseminate and apply the findings in ways that are useful and accessible to both the researchers and the community. Dissemination means sharing the results and implications of the research with various audiences, such as academic peers, policy makers, practitioners, media, and the public. Application means using the research to inform action and social change, such as developing programs, policies, practices, or advocacy campaigns. CBR projects should also involve the community in the dissemination and application process, and seek their feedback and input on how to best communicate and utilize the findings.

5. How it Addresses Diverse Issues and Needs?

Community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address issues of common interest and benefit. CBR aims to produce knowledge that is relevant, useful, and actionable for the community, while also advancing academic scholarship and social change. CBR can address diverse issues and needs across various domains, such as health, education, environment, arts, and culture. Some examples of CBR projects are:

- The Photovoice Project: This project involved a group of immigrant and refugee women in Canada who used photography and storytelling to explore their experiences of health and well-being. The project aimed to empower the women to express their voices, raise awareness of their needs and strengths, and advocate for social change. The project also generated insights for health professionals and policymakers on how to improve the health and integration of immigrant and refugee women.

- The Participatory Budgeting Project: This project involved a network of researchers and activists who supported communities in the US and Canada to implement participatory budgeting (PB), a democratic process that allows residents to decide how to spend a portion of public funds. The project aimed to increase civic engagement, transparency, and equity in public spending, while also producing research on the impacts and challenges of PB. The project also created tools and resources for PB practitioners and advocates, such as a guidebook, a toolkit, and a website.

- The Community Food Assessment Project: This project involved a partnership between a university and a food bank in the US to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the local food system. The project aimed to identify the strengths and gaps of the food system, as well as the opportunities and barriers for improving food security and sustainability. The project also engaged diverse stakeholders, such as farmers, consumers, retailers, and policymakers, to develop and implement action plans based on the assessment findings.

6. How to Find Funding, Partners, and Support?

One of the challenges that community-based researchers face is finding the necessary resources to conduct their projects. Community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address issues of common concern. CBR aims to produce knowledge that is relevant, useful, and beneficial for the community, as well as to foster social change and empowerment. However, CBR also requires a lot of time, effort, and resources, which may not be readily available or accessible for many researchers and communities. Therefore, it is important to explore the various ways that CBR practitioners can find funding, partners, and support for their work.

Some of the possible sources of resources for CBR are:

1. Grants and fellowships: There are many funding agencies and organizations that offer grants and fellowships for CBR projects. Some examples are the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Ford Foundation, and the Kellogg Foundation. These grants and fellowships usually have specific criteria and deadlines for application, and may require a detailed proposal, budget, and evaluation plan. Some of them may also require matching funds or in-kind contributions from the community partners. Therefore, it is advisable to start the application process early and to consult with the potential funders and partners before submitting the proposal.

2. Crowdfunding and donations: Another way to raise funds for CBR projects is through crowdfunding and donations. Crowdfunding is a method of collecting small amounts of money from a large number of people, usually through online platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or GoFundMe. Donations are voluntary contributions from individuals or organizations that support the cause or the project. Crowdfunding and donations can be useful for CBR projects that have a clear goal, a compelling story, and a wide network of supporters. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as the fees charged by the platforms, the uncertainty of reaching the target amount, and the lack of accountability and transparency for the donors.

3. Partnerships and collaborations: A key feature of CBR is the partnership and collaboration between researchers and community members. Partnerships and collaborations can provide not only financial resources, but also human, material, and social resources for CBR projects. For example, community partners can offer their expertise, experience, contacts, facilities, equipment, and volunteers for the research. Researchers can offer their skills, knowledge, methods, tools, and access to academic resources for the community. Partnerships and collaborations can also enhance the quality, validity, and impact of the research, as well as the trust, respect, and empowerment of the participants. However, partnerships and collaborations also require a lot of communication, coordination, negotiation, and compromise, as well as a shared vision, values, and goals for the project.

4. Support networks and organizations: Another source of resources for CBR is the support networks and organizations that exist for CBR practitioners. These networks and organizations can offer various forms of support, such as training, mentoring, coaching, consulting, advocacy, dissemination, and recognition for CBR projects. Some examples are the Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), the Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC), the Participatory Research at McGill (PRAM), and the International Association for Research on service-Learning and Community engagement (IARSLCE). These networks and organizations can also facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices among CBR practitioners, as well as the creation of new partnerships and collaborations. However, these networks and organizations may also have limited resources, capacity, and reach, and may not be able to meet the diverse and specific needs of all CBR projects.

7. How it Contributes to Social Change and Innovation?

Community-based research (CBR) is a collaborative approach that involves researchers and community members working together to address issues of common interest. CBR aims to produce knowledge that is relevant, useful, and actionable for the community, while also advancing academic scholarship and fostering social change. CBR can contribute to social change and innovation in various ways, such as:

- Empowering communities: CBR can enhance the capacity and agency of community members to identify, analyze, and solve their own problems. CBR can also foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members, as they are involved in every stage of the research process, from defining the research question to disseminating the results. For example, a CBR project in Canada involved Indigenous youth and elders in co-creating a digital storytelling platform to share their stories and perspectives on health and wellness. The project not only generated valuable insights for health promotion, but also empowered the participants to express their voices and identities through digital media.

- Building relationships: CBR can facilitate the development of trust, respect, and mutual understanding between researchers and community members, as well as among different community groups. CBR can also create opportunities for dialogue, learning, and exchange of knowledge and resources across diverse sectors and disciplines. For example, a CBR project in the UK involved researchers, local authorities, and community organizations in co-designing and implementing a community-led intervention to reduce food waste and promote sustainable consumption. The project not only reduced food waste by 30%, but also strengthened the social cohesion and resilience of the community.

- Influencing policies and practices: CBR can generate evidence that is relevant and credible for informing and influencing policies and practices at various levels, from local to global. CBR can also mobilize and engage community members and stakeholders in advocacy and action for social change. For example, a CBR project in India involved researchers, farmers, and civil society groups in co-producing and disseminating a participatory video on organic farming and its benefits for health, environment, and livelihoods. The project not only increased the adoption of organic farming practices among farmers, but also influenced the state government to support and promote organic farming as a policy priority.

8. How to Share and Apply the Findings of Community-based Research?

The ultimate goal of community-based research (CBR) is not only to produce new knowledge, but also to use it for the benefit of the communities involved. This requires effective dissemination and application of the research findings, both within and beyond the communities. However, this is not a simple or straightforward task, as it involves multiple challenges and opportunities. In this section, we will discuss some of the key aspects of sharing and applying CBR findings, such as:

- Choosing the appropriate formats and channels for dissemination. Depending on the audience, purpose, and context of the research, different formats and channels may be more or less suitable for conveying the findings. For example, academic journals, reports, policy briefs, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, videos, webinars, workshops, conferences, and social media are some of the possible options. Each of these has its own advantages and limitations, such as accessibility, credibility, timeliness, interactivity, and cost. Therefore, CBR researchers and practitioners need to carefully consider the best ways to reach their intended audiences and achieve their desired outcomes.

- Engaging the communities in the dissemination process. One of the principles of CBR is to involve the communities throughout the research cycle, including the dissemination phase. This can enhance the relevance, validity, ownership, and impact of the research findings. For example, community members can help co-create, review, translate, or distribute the dissemination products, or participate in the dissemination events. They can also provide feedback, testimonials, or stories to illustrate the findings or their implications. Moreover, they can act as ambassadors or advocates for the research, spreading the word and influencing others in their networks or spheres of influence.

- Evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the dissemination. To ensure that the dissemination efforts are not wasted or counterproductive, CBR researchers and practitioners need to monitor and evaluate their dissemination activities and outcomes. This can help them assess whether they have reached their target audiences, communicated their messages clearly and accurately, and achieved their intended goals. For example, they can use quantitative or qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, web analytics, or social media metrics, to collect and analyze data on the dissemination outputs, outcomes, and impacts. They can also use this information to improve their future dissemination strategies or products.

- Translating the findings into action. The ultimate aim of dissemination is not only to inform, but also to inspire and influence action. This can be at the individual, organizational, or societal level, depending on the scope and scale of the research. For example, the findings can be used to inform personal decisions, improve professional practices, enhance organizational policies, or advocate for social change. However, this is not an automatic or easy process, as it requires overcoming various barriers, such as resistance, inertia, complexity, or uncertainty. Therefore, CBR researchers and practitioners need to facilitate and support the translation of the findings into action, by providing clear and actionable recommendations, building trust and relationships, creating incentives and opportunities, or providing training and resources.

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