CBPR Definitions & Resources

• Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) occurs when academic researchers and community collaborate in partnership throughout the research process. It is "the systematic enquiry; with the collaboration of those affected by the issue being studied; for the purpose of education and taking action or effecting social change." (Definition used by the Centers of Disease Control, and Green, Lawrence W. et al)

• Community-based participatory research is a "collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community, has the aim of combined knowledge with action and achieving social change to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities." (WK Kellogg Foundation Community Health Scholars Program)

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is research that is conducted as an equal partnership between traditionally trained "experts" and members of a community. In CBPR projects, the community participates fully in all aspects of the research process. CBPR projects start with the community. Community is often self-defined, but general categories of community include geographic community, community of individuals with a common problem or issue, or a community of individuals with a common interest or goal. CBPR encourages collaboration of "formally trained research" partners from any area of expertise, provided that the researcher provide expertise that is seen as useful to the investigation by the community, and be fully committed to a partnership of equals and producing outcomes usable to the community. Equitable partnerships require sharing power, resources, credit, results, and knowledge, as well as, a reciprocal appreciation of each partner's knowledge and skills at each stage of the project, including problem definition/issue selection, research design, conducting research, interpreting the results, and determining how the results should be used for action. CBPR differs from traditional research in many ways. One of the principal ways in which it is different is that instead of creating knowledge for the advancement of a field or for knowledge's sake, CBPR is an iterative process, incorporating research, reflection, and action in a cyclical process. (Wikipedia)

Resources links:

http://www.cbprcurriculum.info/

http://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/full/5/6/557

http://www.ccph.info/

http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/cbpr/cbpr.pdf

Community/Org. Partners

In order for 2040 to successfully meet its purpose it must have access to a reliable group of people whose interests lie in the well being and health of the five neighborhoods.  This can include residents, employees, employers, and other stakeholders.  This group of individuals will help 2040 identify the need to enroll in a project and will also assist in implementation of the project.  Without interested community partners, projects should not take place.  How the project is planned, implemented, and communicated should be informed and designed by community partners.

Examples: Neigh. Residents, University contacts, local nonprofits, elected officials, local businesses, and faith-based organizations.

Identify Community Need/Request

While it is important for community partners to identify the community needs as they related to 2040's purpose, it is equally important to refine the specific need/request that the community is asking for.  2040 will work with partners to specifically identify the purpose of the proposed project before moving forward.  This will be an inclusive process allowing for discussion regardless of opposing opinions.

Recruit Community Participants

While community partners may have identified the need, they may not necessarily be willing to be involved in the planning, implementation, and communication of the project.  2040 will work with its partners and networks to identify a core group of community partners that would like to offer their leadership and experience to guide the project.

Select Principle Investigator

Simultaneously to the recruitment of community participants, a PI will need to be specifically identified to lead the research component of the CBPR project.  While it is likely that a PI will be one of the community partners identifying community need, the project cannot move past this stage without a PI dedicated to the project and working with other community members. 2040 will work with its networks in the academic community to identify and introduce the PI to the community.

Plan CBPR Project

Identifying the timeline, purpose, methods, resources, and opportunities of the project are critical.  The community members and the PI will work together to design the CBPR project from beginning to end and be sure to identify clear desired outcomes of the research component of the project. 2040 will help facilitate this process. Depending on existing data and common knowledge, the design of the CBPR project may move directly to developing an intervention plan therefore by-passing the data collection, review, and analysis.

Develop Data Collection Plan

More specific to the project plan, will be a research plan that lays out data collection methods, timeline, key stakeholders, staff needs, analysis procedures, and how the partnership will function successfully between community members and the PI.

Collect Data

Data collection will take place utilizing staff, volunteers, and partners as identified in the research plan.

Analyze Data

Data will be analyzed as planned in the research plan.

Review Analysis

Data analysis will be shared with the community partners, core group, and others.  2040 will work with the PI to ensure an open process in understanding the analysis and look forward to interventions that may be able to take place to improve circumstances now better understood as a result of the data analysis. Analysis could also lead to returning to the developing data collection planning stage if it is deemed incomplete, invalid, or unreliable.

Develop Intervention/Action/Response Plan

Through a visioning and planning process 2040 will facilitate a community member and PI discussion to create an intervention plan.  This plan will outline primary areas of action, key stakeholders, timelines, evaluation protocol, and desired outcomes.

Implement Intervention Plan

Engage in implementing the intervention plan ensuring that all members of the community partners are involved in implementation.

Evaluate Impact of Intervention

As actions are taking place 2040 will evaluate the impact the interventions are having.  The results of this evaluation could return the CBPR project back to either the initial project design or the intervention planning stage for additional work. 

Communicate Results

Regardless of the results, the impact of the project will be communicated to the larger community for feedback and suggestions for a new or ongoing CBPR project.