CBR 101 CBR 101 An Introduction to Community An Introduction to Community

Based ResearchBased Research

Introductions:

Name, affiliation What is your experience/ comfort level with CBR? What do you hope to learn today?

Welcome & Introductions

Upon Completion of this Workshop you will be able to:

Define the various terms associated with Community Based Research

Describe the values and principles of CBR Identify the barriers and facilitating factors associated with

CBR Describe the advantages of CBR as an approach to research Identify strategies for partnership development and

monitoring over the duration of a CBR project.

Workshop Objectives

Agenda

Introduction to CBR partnershipsBreakTerms of referenceLunchTerms of reference continuedBreak Case studiesNext StepsWorkshop Evaluation

What is CBR?

When you hear “community-based research,”what words or phrases come to mind?

How would you define it?

Some CBR Definitions

CBR is research that is conducted by, with or for communities. (Sclove et al, 1998)

CBR is research with a substantial level of community participation for the purposes of community improvement and social change. (Loka Institute, 2002)

CBR Definitions Cont’d …

CBR is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action for social change to improve community …(conditions) ….

Minkler & Wallerstein (2003)Community-Based Participatory Research for HealthJossey-Bass (2004)

Principles of CBR

ethicalreview

social actionoutcomes

collaborativepartnerships

rigorous methods

capacity building

community relevance

CBR

Traditional CBR

Outside Expert Team of Stakeholders

Expert defines what needs to be researched and how

Stakeholders collectively decide focus of research

Report may or may not be used to make changes

Early buy-in from stakeholders increases impact

Capacity leaves with expert Capacity is built internally

Traditional vs Community Based Research

Reasons for Partnerships

Communities and academics both face complex challenges and need to draw on all institutions as assets

Need to address gap between research and practice, teaching and practice

Use available means to affect positive social change at various levels

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, 2004

Thinking about Partnerships

How many of you work towards building and forging partnerships? What kind? With who?

When you think of your experiences in partnerships to date: Why are they so valuable? Why are they so frustrating?

Thinking about Partnerships

• How many of you have partnered with academics before? With community groups?

• What do you share in common?• What are your differences?

Academics vs. Community Groups

Similarities

Academics are people who careThey bring unique skills and experienceThey work in complicated and stressful environmentsThey have productivity quotientsThey are often similarly over-worked and under-resourced

Differences

They have very specific theoretical jargonThey have different accountability structures and ‘bottom lines’They have different timelines and calendarsThey are not usually used to working with communities on a daily basis

Researchers bring:

•Broad experience with research in field

•Access to some funding

•Methodological expertise

•Research infrastructure, including personnel

•Theoretical frameworks

•Access to credibility

•Ethics review process•Ability to affect policy change

Communities bring:

• Closer connection to lived experience of community

• Experience with strong intersectoral partnerships

• Innovative applied research ideas

• Understanding of cultural contexts

• Access to some funding• Ability to affect grassroots

change

Community Groups vs Researchers

Roles

What role does ‘community’ play in CBR projects?

What roles do ‘academics’ play in CBR projects?

For Community-Based Organizations:

• Involved in shaping the research project• Can access academic networks • Can address gaps in knowledge about communities &

program and service delivery• May develop a sustained research agenda • May provide evidence for advocacy efforts and/or for

program development• Members may gain research skills

(Narciso & Patten, 2003)

Benefits of CBR

For Academic Researchers:

• May gain access to communities • Based on relationships may develop trust with

communities• Potential to provide quality, quantity, validity and

relevance of research• More contextualized questions• Data is more comprehensive

(Narciso & Patten, 2003)

Benefits of CBR

Characteristics of Partnership Success

Formed to address genuine community concern Builds on prior positive relationships & trust Involves organizations & individuals as partners Starts small... with community-based

organizations that are well respected

Characteristics of Partnership Success

Explicitly defines the community and who represents them

Solid process structures & leadership Appropriate resources

­ (human, financial)Mentorship & skill building opportunities

Barriers to Partnerships

What are the major barriers?• trust• limited resources (time, money etc)• tight deadlines• other pressures• competing bottom lines (services vs. research)• limited knowledge or capacity• limited interest• CBR lacks credibility

Thinking about Power

Research projects/partnerships are embedded in broader social, economic and political contexts...

How might some of these social, economic and political contexts play out in CBR partnerships?

What strategies might be used to acknowledge and minimize the impact of these imbalances?

Transparent and equitable decision-making structures

Accountability Commitment to community Open writing/publishing processes Maximum attention to vulnerability Maximum respect for community knowledge Maximum commitment to action outcomes

Ethical Issues

Putting Principles into Practice

Formulation: building partnershipsData gatheringData managing & analysisAction outcomesWriting up

Case Studies

Summarize your case study

Report back on the issues you discussed

Report back on the strategies for resolving the issues

Maintaining partnerships

Successful partnerships depend on:

pre-existing relationshipsbalance between process and outcomemind-setcultural awareness and competency

Shore, Holmes & Seifer (2003)

Next steps

What are your goals for applying what you learned here today? Set 1-3 goals and write them down.

Goal 1:

Goal 2:

Goal 3:

What are 3 action steps you plan to take after leaving the workshop? Write them down.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Upon Completion of this Workshop you will be able to:

Define the various terms associated with Community Based Research

Describe the values and principles of CBR Identify the barriers and facilitating factors associated with

CBR Describe the advantages of CBR as an approach to research Identify strategies for partnership development and

monitoring over the duration of a CBR project.

Workshop Objectives

Workshop Evaluation

Your feedback is extremely important! Please complete the workshop evaluation….

Thank you!

CBR 101 CBR 101 An Introduction to Community An Introduction to Community

Based ResearchBased Research