LET'S TALK ABOUT

COMMUNITY
RESEARCH
PRESENTED BY: TANYA , NISCHAL AND KESHAVI
 TOPIC OUTLINE

RESEARCH COMMUNITY -
INTRODUCTION
METHODS BASED RESEARCH

ETHICAL
CONSIDERATION CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION
TO
COMMUNITY RESEARCH

Community Research is the systematic

and collaborative study of communities,
their problems, needs, strengths, and
resources. It aims to understand person–
environment relationships and improve
community well-being through research
and action.
 Understand person–
Promote prevention environment
interactions

Empower community
PURPOSE OF Support social
members COMMUNITY change

RESEARCH
Evaluate community
Improve quality of programs and
life interventions
 RESEARCH METHODS
Qualitative Quantitative Mixed
Research methods that explore Research methods that collect A research approach that
people's experiences, and analyze numerical data to combines both quantitative and
perceptions, and meanings identify patterns, relationships, qualitative methods in a single
through non-numerical data. and trends. study.

Participatory Community-Based
Action Participatory
A collaborative research method in which A partnership-based research approach
community members actively participate where researchers and community
in identifying problems, conducting members work together equally
research, and creating solutions. throughout the research process.
 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative methods are research methods that collect and analyze non-
numerical data to understand people's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, feelings,
and social interactions.

It produces descriptive data Conducted in natural settings

Focuses on meanings and experiences Provides in-depth understanding

Method Purpose Example

direct conversation between a Interviewing community
researcher and participant used to leaders about local
Interviews gather detailed information about mental health
experiences, opinions, or feelings. challenges.
 Method Purpose Example
guided conversation with a small Discussing youth substance
Focus Group group of participants about a abuse prevention with
Discussions specific topic. parents and teachers.

systematically watching and Observing interactions

recording behaviors, events, or among members at a
Observation interactions in a natural setting. community health center.

an in-depth investigation of an Studying a village that

Case individual, group, organization, or successfully reduced school
community. dropout rates through
Studies community participation.
 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative methods are research methods that collect and analyze numerical
data to test hypotheses, measure variables, identify patterns, and examine
relationships.

It Use numerical data Suitable for large samples

Use statistical analysis Employ standardized procedures

Method Purpose Example

To collect information about
Surveying college
attitudes, opinions, behaviors, or
Survey experiences from a large number
students about stress
and mental health.
of people.
Method Purpose Example
To gather standardized numerical Evaluating whether a stress-
Questionnaire data using structured questions. management program reduces
anxiety levels in community
members.
Using a questionnaire to
To test cause-and-effect
assess attitudes toward
relationships by manipulating
Experiment variables under controlled
substance abuse prevention
programs.
conditions.

It studies the distribution (who,

Studying the prevalence of
Epidemiological where, when) and determinants (causes,
depression among
risk factors) of health and disease in
Study specific populations, rather than in
adolescents in urban and
individuals. rural communities.
 MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
Mixed Methods Research is an approach that combines both quantitative and
qualitative methods within a single study to gain a more complete understanding of a
research problem.

A researcher may first conduct a survey to measure community stress levels

(quantitative) and then interview selected participants to understand the causes of
stress (qualitative).
Advantages of Mixed Methods
Greater Validity Better Problem Stronger Intervention
Analysis Planning

Balances Strengths and Comprehensive

Weaknesses Understanding
PARTICIPATORY Features of PAR
ACTION Community members actively participate
in all stages of research.
RESEARCH (PAR) Researchers and community members
share responsibilities and decision-making
PAR is a research method in Research findings are used to solve real
which researchers and community problems.
community members work Enhances the skills, knowledge, and
together to study a problem confidence of community members.
and take action to solve it. Involves continuous cycles of planning,
action, observation, and reflection.
PAR combines research,
participation, and social Ex: Residents and researchers work together
action to bring about positive to identify causes of neighborhood violence
community change. and develop prevention programs.
COMMUNITY- Features of CBPR
Researchers, community members,work together
BASED as equal partners throughout the research
PARTICIPATORY process.
RESEARCH (PAR) Community members are involved in all phases of
CBPR is a research approach research, from identifying the problem to
in which researchers and sharing the results.
community members work as Researchers and community members learn from
equal partners throughout one another and value each other's knowledge
the entire research process. and experiences.
Research is flexible and involves repeated cycles
CBPR combines community of planning, action, evaluation, and modification.
participation, research, and Ex: Researchers, teachers, parents, and students
action to improve community collaboratively study adolescent depression and jointly
well-being and reduce social develop a school mental health program based on the
inequalities. findings.
 CONDUCTING COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH

Conducting Community-Based Research is a collaborative process in

which researchers and community members work together to identify
community needs, collect and analyze information, and use findings to
create positive change. It emphasizes participation, shared decision-
making, and the practical application of research to improve
community well-being.
 IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PROBLEMS

Research begins with identifying issues that are meaningful to the

community and affect everyday life.
Problems should be defined collaboratively with community
members rather than imposed by researchers.
Attention must be given to marginalized and "unheard" voices
whose perspectives are often overlooked.
Needs assessment should consider community strengths,
resources, and the broader social and cultural context
 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Community-based research is built on collaboration, trust, mutual

respect, and reciprocity between researchers and community
members.
Community members contribute local knowledge, cultural insights,
and access to social networks.
Researchers contribute methodological expertise and research
resources.
Shared decision-making and long-term commitment strengthen
community ownership of the research process.
 RESEARCH PLANNING

Research objectives and questions should be jointly developed by

researchers and community stakeholders.
Planning must ensure that methods are culturally appropriate and
relevant to community needs.
Community research panels or advisory groups can guide research
decisions and accountability.
Ethical considerations, participant welfare, and community benefit
should be integrated into the research design.
 DATA COLLECTION

Data should be collected in natural community settings using

methods such as surveys, interviews, observations, and
discussions.
Community members can participate as co-researchers to improve
trust and data quality.
Researchers must maintain informed consent, confidentiality, and
cultural sensitivity throughout the process.
Data collection should capture both community challenges and
community strengths.
 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Data analysis identifies patterns, relationships, and factors

contributing to community issues.
Community members should participate in interpreting findings to
provide local context and meaning.
Findings should be examined across multiple ecological levels,
including individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
Collaborative interpretation enhances the validity, relevance, and
practical value of the results.
 DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS

Findings should be communicated to the community through

accessible formats such as meetings, reports, newsletters, and
workshops.
Dissemination promotes transparency, accountability, and
community engagement.
Research results should be shared with participants rather than
remaining only in academic publications.
The goal is to support informed decision-making and stimulate
discussion about future actions.
 ACTION AND EVALUATION

Community research follows an action-oriented approach in which

findings are used to develop interventions, programs, or policies.
Community members actively participate in implementing solutions
and community change efforts.
Evaluation assesses whether actions have achieved their intended
outcomes and objectives.
Continuous evaluation helps identify improvements, measure
impact, and support sustainable community development.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH

Bridges the gap between research and real-world community needs

by involving community members in identifying problems and
developing solutions.
Promotes empowerment, social change, and sustainable community
development by producing knowledge that is both scientifically
valid and practically useful.
Encourages the integration of research and action, ensuring that
findings contribute to community improvement rather than
remaining only as academic knowledge.
 DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER RESEARCH APPROACHES

Unlike traditional research, Community-Based Research treats

community members as active partners in all stages of the research
process rather than merely as participants.
It focuses not only on generating knowledge but also on applying it
to improve community well-being.
It values the lived experiences of community members and
integrates them into research planning, interpretation, and
decision-making.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
Community research involves working directly with
vulnerable and diverse populations. Ethical and Legal
guidlines ensure that participants are protected , their
rights respected , and that research contributes
positively to socitey.
 WHY ETHICS MATTER IN COMMUNITY RESEARCH :

i) Communities are not just research subjects — they are partners and stakeholder

ii) Ethical violations can cause lasting harm to individuals and erode community
trust
iii) Researchers must balance scientific goals with social responsibility and
accountability
iv) Both professional codes of ethics and legal frameworks guide community-based
research
v) Ethical practice strengthens the validity, credibility, and impact of research
findings
INFORMED CONSENT

core requirements special considerations

participants must be fully informed about Ensure capacity to consent for individuals
the study’s purpose , procedure and duration. with cognitive impairments

consent must be given voluntarily ongoing consent- participants must be

re-informed if study changes significantly

Right to withdraw from the study at any community-level consent may be

time without penalty required for group-based or community-
wide research
Information must be presented in a Document consent properly through signed
language and literacy level understood by forms, audio, or witnessed verbal consent
participants
 Collect only data that is necessary for the research
objectives
PRIVACY &
CONFIDENTIALITY participants have the right to control their personal
information

Be transparent about what data is collected and how it

will be used

collect only data that is necessary for the research

objectives

Respect cultural norms around privacy and sensitive

community information

Limit access to research data to authorized team

members only
 treat all participants with dignity, regardless of
background or social status
RESPECT FOR
PARTICIPANTS Acknowledge and respect cultural , religious and community
values

Be sensitive to power imbalances between researcher and

community members

Provide feedback and share research findings with

participants

Compensate fairly for time and participation without

creating coercion

Build genuine , reciprocal relationships with communities

over time
 BENEFICENCE & NON-MALEFICENCE
Beneficence- Do Good Non-maleficence- Avoid Harm

Research should produce meaningful benefits Anticipate and minimize physical, psychological,
for participants and the broader community social, and economic risks

Maximize potential benefits while actively

promoting participants well-being Avoid research designs that may stigmatize or
harm vulnerable groups
Ensure findings are ttranslated into practical
improvements for communities Monitor participants for distress and provide
appropriate support or referrals
Consider long-term benefits, not just Balance scientific value of research against
immediates or short-term research goals potential harm to individuals or communities
Community participation & Involve community members as active co-
Empowerment researchers, not passive subjects

Integrate community knowledge, priorities, and

perspectives into study design

Build on community strengths and existing resources

Ensure communities have meaningful input in defining

research questions

Foster skills and capacity within communities

through research collaboration

Support communities in using findings to advocate

for their own needs
Sustain relationships beyond the research project
for longterm impact
 Fair distribution of research benefits and
burdens across all groups
JUSTICE & FAIRNESS
Avoid over-researching already burdened or
marginalized communities

Prioritize research that serves the needs of

disadvantaged populations

Ensure fair and transparent processes for

participant selection and inclusion

Recognize and address structural inequalities

that affect research access

Apply consistent ethical standards regardless

of participants' social status
 LEGAL CONSIDERATION

Regulatory frameworks

Comply with national and institutional ethical guidelines

(e.g., Declaration of Helsinki, Belmont Report)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Ethics Committee approval

required before research begins

Adhere to data protection laws: GDPR (Europe), HIPAA (USA), and

applicable national laws
 LEGAL CONSIDERATION

legal Obligations of Researchers

Mandatory reporting: legal duty to report child abuse, harm to

self/others, or criminal activity disclosed during research

Maintain proper documentation of consent, protocols, and data

handling procedures

Secure any necessary permits or approvals for research in specific

communities or settings
 LEGAL CONSIDERATION

Liability & intellectual property

Researchers bear legal liability for harms caused by negligence or

ethical violations

Clearly address intellectual property rights, especially when

communities contribute traditional knowledge

Data sharing agreements must specify ownership, access rights, and

permitted uses of data
 Conclusion
Community research is a collaborative and systematic approach to
understanding community needs and strengths.
It combines scientific research with active community
participation to develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
Ethical principles, shared decision-making, and respect for
community members ensure that research is both valid and
meaningful.
Ultimately, community research promotes empowerment, social
change, and improved quality of life through informed action.

Community research is not just about studying communities—it is

about working with communities to create meaningful and lasting
positive change
 REFERENCES
Jason et al. (2019). Introduction to Community Psychology. Rebus Community.
Collins et al. (2018). Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). American
Psychologist.
e-PG Pathshala. Introduction to Community Psychology
Collins, S. E., Clifasefi, S. L., Stanton, J., The Leap Advisory Board, Straits, K. J. E., Gil-
Kashiwabara, E., Rodriguez Espinosa, P., Nicasio, A. V., Andrasik, M. P., Hawes, S. M.,
Miller, K. A., Nelson, L. A., Orfaly, V. E., Duran, B. M., & Wallerstein, N. (2018).
Community-based participatory research (CBPR): Towards equitable involvement of
community in psychology research. American Psychologist, 73(7), 884–898.
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