Research Projects
Community-based participatory research: ethics and outcomes
A research project of the School of Applied Social Sciences.
Background
This project is funded by the AHRC Connected Communities Programme and runs from March - October 2011. Led by Sarah Banks (PI) the aim is to provide a critical overview of a range of literature on participatory approaches to community-based research with a particular focus on ethical issues and the evaluation of outcomes, drawing on national and international experience. The process of producing the literature review is participatory and involves academics from different disciplines at Durham University, an international advisory board and community partners.
The review will focus on participatory approaches to research in and with communities, particularly those categorised as 'diverse', 'hard to reach' or 'easily ignored'. Specifically, it will identify ethical challenges in community-based participatory research (CBPR); examples of good practice in anticipating and handling ethical issues; and evaluations of outcomes, including the potential for connecting communities, building social capital, community capacity, solidarity and resilience.
Aims
- To provide a critical overview of a range of literature on participatory approaches to community-based research, with a particular focus on ethical issues and the evaluation of outcomes, drawing on national and international experience.
- To offer guidance and recommendations to the Connected Communities programme and projects within it on tackling ethical challenges in participatory community-based research and planning and evaluating outcomes.
Methods
- To undertake a focused literature review that synthesizes, categorises and critically evaluates accounts of CBPR, with specific reference to ethical issues and evaluation of outcomes.
- To engage a range of stakeholders, especially members of community organisations, in planning the literature review and interpreting and using the findings.
Findings
Discussion paper: Community-based Participatory Research: Ethical Challenges
Appendices to discussion paper (one file)
Appendix 1: Project participants
Appendix 2: A note on outcomes of CBPR
Appendix 3: Details of the literature search
Appendix 4: Brief report on Co-inquiry Action Research Workshops
Appendix 5: Towards draft ethical principles for CBPR
Appendix 6: Bibliography