Ethical Issues in Community-Based Participatory Research: Balancing Rigorous Research With Community Participation in Community Intervention Studies

Author(s):  
David Ross. Buchanan ◽  
Franklin G. Miller ◽  
Nina Wallerstein
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan B Hearod ◽  
Marianna S Wetherill ◽  
Alicia L Salvatore ◽  
Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan

ABSTRACT We conducted a 2-phase systematic review of the literature to examine the nature and outcomes of health research using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach with AI communities to assess both the value and the impact of CBPR, identify gaps in knowledge, and guide recommendations for AI research agendas. Using PRISMA guidelines, we searched the peer-reviewed literature published from 1995 to 2016 and identified and reviewed 42 unique intervention studies. We identified and catalogued key study characteristics, and using the Reliability-Tested Guidelines for Assessing Participatory Research Projects, we quantified adherence to participatory research principles across its four domains. Finally, we examined any association between community participation score and health outcomes. The majority of studies (76.7%) used an observational study design with diabetes, cancer, substance abuse, and tobacco being the most common topics. Half of the articles reported an increase in knowledge as the primary outcome. Our findings suggest that a CBPR orientation yields improved community outcomes. However, we could not conclude that community participation was directly associated with an improvement in health outcomes.


Author(s):  
Crystal Kwan ◽  
Christine Walsh

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a methodology increasingly used within the social sciences. CBPR is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of research methodologies, including participatory research, participatory action research, feminist participatory research, action research, and collaborative inquiry. At its core, they share five key attributes: (i) community as a unit of identity; (ii) an approach for the vulnerable and marginalized; (iii) collaboration and equal partnership throughout the entire research process; (iv) an emergent, flexible, and iterative process; and (v) the research process is geared toward social action. While there is no shortage of literature that highlights the benefits and potential of CBPR, relatively little discussion exists on the ethical issues associated with the methodology. In particular, current gaps within the literature include ethical guidance in (i) balancing community values, needs, and identity with those of the individual; (ii) negotiating power dynamics and relationships; (iii) working with stigmatized populations; (iv) negotiating conflicting ethical requirements and expectations from Institutional Review Boards (IRBs); and (v) facilitating social action emerging from the findings. For CBPR’s commendable goals and potential to be realized, it is necessary to have a more fulsome discussion of the ethical issues encountered while implementing a CBPR study. Further, a lack of awareness and critical reflection on such ethical considerations may perpetuate the very same problems this methodology seeks to address, namely, inequality, oppression, and marginalization. The purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review of the literature that identifies ethical issues that may arise from conducting CBPR studies, and the recommendations by researchers to mitigate such challenges.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behdin Nowrouzi ◽  
Lorrilee McGregor ◽  
Alicia McDougall ◽  
Donna Debassige ◽  
Jennifer Casole ◽  
...  

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The objective of this paper is to identify key ethical issues associated with biological sampling in Aboriginal populations in Canada and to recommend approaches that can be taken to address these issues.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> Our work included the review of notable biological sampling cases and issues. We examined several significant cases (Nuu-chah-nult people of British Columbia, Hagahai peoples of Papua New Guinea and the Havasupai tribe of Arizona) on the inappropriate use of biological samples and secondary research in Aboriginal populations by researchers.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Considerations for biological sampling in Aboriginal communities with a focus on community-based participatory research involving Aboriginal communities and partners are discussed. Recommendations are provided on issues of researcher reflexivity, ethical considerations, establishing authentic research relationships, ownership of biological material and the use of community-based participatory research involving Aboriginal communities.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> Despite specific guidelines for Aboriginal research, there remains a need for biological sampling protocols in Aboriginal communities. This will help protect Aboriginal communities from unethical use of their biological materials while advancing biomedical research that could improve health outcomes.</p>


Author(s):  
Lauren E. McDonald ◽  
Moshoula Capous-Desyllas

This article reflects on ethical issues that arose during the course of two different evaluation projects that used photovoice method to engage with marginalized populations. The evaluations serve as case studies for a critical discussion about potential barriers that researchers may face when employing photovoice method while trying to balance the principles of community-based participatory research with the requirements of Institutional Review Boards. We reflect on ethical dilemmas related to the meaning of photography within the cultural context of participants’ lives, the compensation of participants as collaborators, and the representation and dissemination of participant photos. We conclude by examining how researchers may approach ethical requirements without compromising the important collaborative relationships central to photovoice method. We additionally call on researchers to engage with ethics review committees to create a new “participant–researcher” category with its own set of protocols that recognizes the nuanced role members of disenfranchised communities play in the research process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S562-S562
Author(s):  
Victoria F Burns

Abstract This methodological paper discusses the process of co-creating a documentary film with seven formerly homeless older adults, highlighting some of the tensions carrying out community-based participatory research (CBPR). This paper is part of a larger study that explored ‘finding home’ through a series of individual and group audio and video-recorded interviews (including walk and drive alongs) with seven adults (aged 50+) with diverse homeless histories. In addition to the main findings, participants shared their experience of filmmaking and CBPR. Findings revealed four main tensions: 1) openness of sharing stories versus privacy and anonymity; 2) balancing participation/engagement and over-burdening; 3) negotiating interpersonal conflict and community building; and 4) ethical issues surrounding copyright and ownership of the film. Ultimately, we advocate for more CBPR film projects, as they not only provide a rich contextualized window into people’s everyday lives but serve to advance the voices of marginalized populations beyond traditional academic circles.


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lachel Story ◽  
Agnes Hinton ◽  
Sharon B Wyatt

Mistrust and fear of research often exist in minority communities because of assumptions, preconceived ideas, and historical abuse and racism that continue to influence research participation. The research establishment is full of well-meaning ‘outsider’ investigators who recognize discrimination, health disparities, and insufficient health care providers in minority communities, but struggle in breaking through this history of mistrust. This article provides ethical insights from one such ‘insider-outsider’, community-based participatory research project implemented via community health advisors in the Mississippi Delta. Both community-based participatory research and community health advisors provide opportunities to address the ethical issues of trust, non-maleficence, and justice in minority communities. Implications for ethics-driven nursing research are discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Strike ◽  
A Guta ◽  
K. de Prinse ◽  
S Switzer ◽  
S Chan Carusone

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is growing in popularity as a research strategy to engage communities affected by health issues. Although much has been written about the benefits of using CBPR with diverse groups, this research has usually taken place in community-based organizations which offer social services and programs. The purpose of this article is to explore the opportunities and challenges encountered during a CBPR project conducted in a small hospital serving people living with HIV and addictions issues. The structure of hospital-based care delivery required the team to account for participants’ health-related limitations, including adopting recruitment strategies built on clinical care, and modifying the original research design to better protect participant confidentiality in a small space. Although CBPR offers an important strategy for researching with members of hospitalized communities, it requires research teams to develop context-relevant approaches to ethically engaging community members that recognize the ways clinical space mediates the research process.


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