CBR 101 An Introduction to Community Based 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 partnerships Break Terms of reference Lunch Terms of reference continued Break Case studies Next Steps Workshop 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 Health Jossey-Bass (2004)

Principles of CBR CBR community relevance capacity building rigorous methods collaborative partnerships social action outcomes ethical review

TraditionalCBR Outside ExpertTeam 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 expertCapacity 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 care They bring unique skills and experience They work in complicated and stressful environments They have productivity quotients They are often similarly over- worked and under-resourced Differences They have very specific theoretical jargon They have different accountability structures and ‘bottom lines’ They have different timelines and calendars They 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 partnerships Data gathering Data managing & analysis Action outcomes Writing 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 relationships balance between process and outcome mind-set cultural 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 An Introduction to Community Based Research