| PMC full text: | Ethics Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 Nov 1. Published in final edited form as: Ethics Behav. 2009 Nov 1; 19(6): 461–478. doi: 10.1080/10508420903274971 |
Table 1
Community-Based Participatory Research for Improved Mental Health Outline
| Module Key Questions Addressed | Module Content Focus |
|---|---|
| Module 1: Background Preparation for the Participatory Research Process | |
| • What is important about community participation? | • Goals and importance of community participation |
| • What are the goals of the research relationship with the community? | |
| • How are communities chosen, scientifically, ethically, and collaboratively when the research originates outside of the community? | • Defining the specific target community (demographics, history, etc.) |
| • What is the relevant history, and where are the sources of trust and mistrust? | • Understanding the historic relationship between research institution and community |
| • How does the research staff prepare for the relationships and responsibilities of community participatory research? | |
| • What are the practical resource issues | • Planning for the time and personnel needed; establishing inclusion values within the project and staff |
| Module 2: Beginning Partnerships with Communities | |
| • Who are the key leaders and natural wise persons with whom trustworthiness and integrity must be demonstrated? | • Identifying key stakeholders and key community informants (formal and “natural” leaders) |
| • When and how do researchers approach a community? | |
| • What information is appropriate to share about the scientific questions, the methodology, and the anticipated risks and benefits to the community and to individual participants? | • Deciding how and when to engage the community; developing community advisory boards (authority, structure, function, duration) |
| • How do researchers figure out ways to minimize research risks to the community? | |
| • How are community advisory boards developed, and how will healthy, effective functioning be facilitated? | • Timing the steps of community involvement |
| • How should values conflicts and disagreements be addressed? | |
| Module 3: Finding Common Ground Within the Partnership | |
| • How do researchers determine the values and needs of the community? | • Understanding cultural appropriateness and acceptability for the specific community |
| • How are implicit concerns expressed? | |
| • How do partners find common ground on differing goals and preferences? | |
| • What are the processes for dealing with conflicts and disagreements on an ongoing basis? | • Conducting community needs assessments; developing mutual or compatible goals – ethical issues (i.e., how does the community define them?) |
| • What if the partnership fails? | |
| • What ethical safeguards does the community need or want? | |
| • What are the jurisdiction issues? | • Data and safety monitoring |
| • Issues from the community | |
| Module 4: Sustaining the Partnership | |
| • How are day-to-day issues addressed? | • Maintaining an active community advisory board |
| • How is the equality of all partners maintained throughout the process? | |
| • How are all partners kept informed of process and progress? | • Common problems/issues and how they might be addressed |
| • How are community advisory boards maintained? | |
| • How are major changes in the ‘ground rules’ addressed and communicated | • Dealing with significant changes in the community or the research |
| • Importance of ongoing communication between community and research | |
| Module 5: Evaluating the Partnership and Enhancing Future Successes | |
| • How are study results used in ways that are acceptable to all? | • Determining “success” as defined by various sectors of the community and by research standards |
| • How is the relationship sustained when the work of the research study is finished? | |
| • How and why have reflection and debriefing become essential activities? | • Assessing strengths and weaknesses to improve future collaboration |
| • How is the success of the process involved in project implementation evaluated from the perspectives of all stakeholders? | • Building knowledge about community – research collaboration |
| • Sharing experiences | |