Abstract
There is a growing interest in the area of research that engages communities. Increasingly, this community-based research (CBR) approach to research is being seen as a catalyst for social innovation, for public policy improvements, for solving complex community issues, and for promoting democracy in which local knowledge is valued in building local solutions. This emerging interest in engaging communities in research (both within and outside academia) brings both successes and challenges.The purpose of this article is to summarise the theory underlying community-based research and to illustrate that theory with Canadian case examples of research studies conducted by the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR). The article begins by reviewing the hallmarks, functions and implementation phases of community-based research, which are rooted in academic tradition. Three case examples are presented to illustrate the main hallmarks of CBR. The intention is to clarify community-based research by reflecting on iterative theory through practice and practice through theory.Keywords: community-based research, community-university research, knowledge production, knowledge mobilisation, community mobilisation, research for society
Highlights
There are compelling reasons for this shift
CASE EXAMPLES Below we describe three research projects conducted at Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) as case examples which emphasise the three hallmarks of community-based research (CBR)
Community-based research can be explained in different ways: what it is, why to do it and how to do it
Summary
There are compelling reasons for this shift. Increasingly, community-based research (CBR) is being seen as a catalyst for social innovation, for public policy improvements, for solving complex community issues, and for promoting democracy in which local knowledge is valued in building local solutions. CBR brings theoretical advantage by delivering insider knowledge to the shaping of the research purpose and questions, and by collaboratively refining theories (Cargo & Mercer 2008; Fitzgerald, Burack & Seifer 2010). This approach responds to fundamental issues of fairness and equity. Action and change honours the ‘northern’ utilisation-focused action research tradition that is frequently associated with Kurt Lewin This domain has an emphasis on social change through successive reflective action cycles (Lewin 1948, 1951). It stresses that the process and results of research should be useful to community members in making positive social change and in promoting social equity (Nelson et al 1998)
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