A (Very Brief!) Introduction to Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

1. A (Very Brief!) Introduction to Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

2. Objectives By the end of the presentation, participants will know more about: • What CBPR is and what it is not; • The history and principles of CBPR; • The purpose of CBPR; and • How to determine whether CBPR is appropriate in a given situation.

3. Agenda • Introduction • Think, Pair and Share • A Few Key Points • Reflection

4. Think, Pair and Share • The facilitator presents a question. • All participants THINK about the question in their own minds. • All participants PAIR UP with other participants and discuss the question. • Participants SHARE with the larger group some of what they said in their pairs.

5. Brainstorming Question:What do we already know or imagine about community-based participatory research (CBPR)?

6. What is CBPR? “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 and has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change . . .” W.K. Kellogg Community Health Scholars Program

7. What is CBPR NOT? • A method or set of methods • Specifically qualitative

8. Purpose of CBPR “The intent in CBPR is to transform research from a relationship where researchers act upon a community to answer a research question to one where researchers work side by side with community members to define the questions and methods, implement the research, disseminate the findings and apply them.” (CCPH CBPR curriculum, 2006)

9. Why use CBPR? • Traditional research approaches have failed to eliminate health disparities. • Community members are tired of having research “done to” them rather than with them. • Community members want research to have concrete, positive outcomes. • Community involvement can produce more valid and reliable results. • Mutual trust and respect can result in increased participation in research.

10. Principles of CBPR • Recognizes community as a unit of identity • Builds on strengths and resources • Facilitates partnerships in all research phases • Promotes co-learning and capacity building • Seeks balance between research and action

11. Principles of CBPR (cont.) • Emphasizes local relevance and an ecological perspective • Involves a cyclical and iterative process • Disseminates findings and knowledge to all partners • Involves long-term process and commitment Israel, Schulz, Parker, Becker, Allen & Guzman, 2000.

12. Questions to ask before initiating a CBPR project • Is self-interest driving the agenda? • Do you have the necessary skills? • Are you a researcher uncomfortable with changing your methods to work with participants? • Are you a community member who wants a service but has no interest in research?

13. Questions to ask before initiating a CBPR project (cont.) • Does the burden to the community outweigh potential research benefits? • Do you really “buy into” the values and principles of CBPR? (CCPH CBPR curriculum, 2006)

14. Example of a CBPR Project: Poder es Salud/Power for Health • Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Purpose: To decrease health disparities in the African American and Latino communities in Multnomah County, Oregon • Key Strategies: Popular Education, Community Health Workers, CBPR • Partners: Latino Network, Emmanuel Community Services, PSU, OHSU, MCHD

15. Reflection • What caught your attention about what you have heard thus far this morning? • Are there questions coming to your mind based on what you have heard?