CBR 101
An Introduction to Community Based
Research
Welcome & Introductions
Introductions:
 Name, affiliation
 What is your experience/ comfort level with CBR?
 What do you hope to learn today?
Workshop Objectives
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.
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
community
relevance
ethical
review
capacity
building
CBR
social action
outcomes
rigorous
methods
collaborative
partnerships
Traditional vs Community Based
Research
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
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 overworked 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
Community Groups vs
Researchers
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
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
Roles
What role does ‘community’ play in CBR projects?
What roles do ‘academics’ play in CBR projects?
Benefits of CBR
For Community-Based Organizations:
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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)
Characteristics of Partnership
Success
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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?
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•
•
•
•
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•
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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?
Ethical Issues
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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
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:
Workshop Objectives
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 Evaluation
Your feedback is extremely important!
Please complete the workshop evaluation….
Thank you!
CBR 101
An Introduction to Community Based
Research