Community Based Participatory Research, Essay Example

Community based participatory researchconsists of techniques whereby a team of specialists from a specific neighborhood collaborate in investigating issues within that community. It is a scientific undertaking utilizing all the essential research process elements. Precisely,these partners apply different expertise in providing valid conclusions to their studies. For example, if it becomes necessary for public health authorities to investigate the outbreak of a disease within a community or a disaster occurrence such as flooding; experts in geology, urban planning, medicine, public heath, psychology, sociology may be called to create a team to research the issues and offer scientific recommendations based on their findings(Minkler & Wallerstein, 2008).

Importantly, the goal of community based participatory research is mainly effectively utilizing data   stored within the discipline as it pertains to the particular issue that is being researched. The research process is expected to provide understanding and predict possible interventions to be executed in resolving the phenomenon. The technique is used to also inform policy makers regarding what decisions ought to be made in the further to either control spread of the disease or additional infrastructural adjustments which ought to be made in neighborhood planning(Minkler & Wallerstein, 2008).

Significantly, it is essential that equitable partnershipsfeature power sharing mechanisms, collaborative use of resources; exercise creditability in relationships, share benefits of results, acknowledge each expert’s input in the project offering reciprocal appreciation for partners’ skills during interactions on the research project. This includes allowing partner full access of sharing expertise as it relates to definition of the problem/issue; selecting research methodology, design, providing relevant suggestions for data collection procedures andsampling population;strategies for interpreting results, and deciding on adequate techniques on how results will be disseminated(Minkler & Wallerstein, 2008).

Community based participatory research differs from traditional research methods in many ways. First, CBPR embodies an iterative cynical process incorporating reflection research and action. This is unlike other types of research whereby the focus is on creating knowledge for advancing the disciple by providing evidence for intervention. Therefore, the advantage above traditional research is that it has the ability to incorporate research with reflection and action in a cyclic manner. Often with traditional research there is no time for reflection or action, rather researchers may end with presentation of data and arrival at conclusions (Israel, Schulz, Parker, Becker, Allen& Guzman, 2008).

Anexample of a study, considered community based participatory research is the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center (Detroit URC) project. The center engages in research providing economic as well as public health benefits catered to eliminating health disparities among Detroit residents. Research is focused towards designing innovations empowering residents to understand how interactions between their social and physical environmentsaffect the quality of health they experience. Ultimately, Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center (Detroit URC)operating as a community based participatory research entity translates knowledge /data into policy.  Further, programs are executed coinciding with data obtained from research project (Israel et.al, 2008).

Partnerships in the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center (Detroit URC) project include  Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, eight community-based organizations (Community Health and Social Services Center CHASS;  Friends of Parkside, Latino Family Services: Warren/Conner Development Coalition), and Henry Ford Health System.University of Michigan Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Social Work;Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation;Communities in Schools;Neighborhood Service Organization and Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice(Israel et.al, 2008).

References

Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (2008). Community-Based Participatory Research for Health: From Process to Outcomes.  San Francisco. Jossey-Bass

Israel, B. Schulz, A. Parker, E. Becker, A. Allen, A., & Guzman, J.R. (2008). Critical issues in developing and following CBPR Principles. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass