Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is, “a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action for social change to improve community health and eliminate health disparities.” (W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Health Scholars Program, 2001) CBPR relies on “trust, cooperation, dialogue, community capacity building, and collaborative inquiry toward its goal of improving health and well-being.” (Minkler and Wallerstein, 2003)

General Information

• Community-Campus Partnerships for Health: Principles and Policies of CBPR. 2010
  Barbara Israel and her colleagues in Michigan identify nine key principles of CBPR for success. This article also provides examples of principles and policies developed by CBPR partnerships and initiatives.

• Minkler M, Blackwell AG, Thompson M, Tamir H. Community-based participatory research: Implications for public health funding. Am J Public Health. 2003; 93:1210-3.
  This article demonstrates the increasing prominence of CBPR funding. The authors stress the importance of CBPR as a tool for action-oriented and community-driven public health research.

• Wallerstein NB, Duran B. Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Address Health Disparities. Health Promotion Practice. 2006; 7(3): 312-23.
  This article discusses the issues of power, privilege, participation, and practice in the context of researcher-community relationships.

• AHRQ Activities Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Address Health Care Disparities. 2009. AHRQ Pub. No. 09-P012.
  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) defines CBPR and highlights some of its work in the area, including funded projects and grants.

• Minkler M, Wallerstein N (eds). Community-Based Participatory Research for Health: From Process to Outcomes, 2nd Edition. 2008; San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  This collection of case studies addresses key issues for researchers in a historical, philosophical, and practical context.

• Israel BA, Eng E, Schulz AJ, Parker EA (eds). Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research for Health. 2005; San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  This text provides comprehensive examinations of CBPR study designs, data collection and analysis methods, and innovative partnership structures and process methods.

CBPR for Health Centers

• Wong K. Community-Based Participatory Research and Community Health Centers. 2006; Presented at the National Association of Community Health Centers, Community Health Institute.
  This presentation provides a general overview of CBPR and its implications for CHCs.

• Tobin JN. Community-Based Models of Research: Views from the Health Center. 2007; Presented at the National Association of Community Health Centers, Community Health Institute.This presentation summarizes the roles and experiences of Clinical Directors Network in conducting community-based research.

• Fried RA. Research in Community Health Centers. 1998; National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
  This monograph provides a brief introduction to primary care research in community health centers.

• Freeman ER. Health Services and Clinical Research with Community Health Centers to Eliminate Health Disparities in Underserved Populations. 2007; Presented at National Association of Community Health Centers, Community Health Institute.
  This presentation provides a summary of promoting community based, primary care oriented education and research at CHCs.

• National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. Research in Health Centers: How to Get Started. 1998. Presentation File.
  These materials were developed as part of an one-day seminar on beginning or enhancing research programs at community health centers.

CBPR for Academics

• Chin M. Community-based participatory research: practical tips for CHCs and Researchers. 2006. Presentation file.
  This presentation provides a summary of CBPR practice recommendations.

• Norris KC, Brusuelas R, Jones L, Miranda J, Duru OK, Mangione CM. Partnering with Community-Based Organizations: An Academic Institution’s Evolving Perspective. Ethn Dis. 2007; 17(1 Suppl 1): S27-32.
  This article reinforces the importance of a Memorandum of Understanding and the careful selection of a community advisory board in utilizing the community-based participatory research model.

• Strasburger JF. Meeting the Research Infrastructure Needs of Micropolitan and Rural Communities. WMJ. 2009;108(3):133-8.
  This article discusses the need for universities to extend their distributive research networks beyond campus lines for increased research efficiency and innovation.

• Sussman AL, Rivera M. 'Be Gentle and Be Sincere About It': A Story About Community-Based Primary Care Research. Annals of Family Medicine. 2008; 6(5); 463-4.
  An article that gives insight on how to listen to gain trust the trust of the community.  A researcher gains powerful insight when a focus group evaluates his intentions with a cultural metaphor.

• Jones L, Wells K. Strategies for Academic and Clinician Engagement in Community-Participatory Partnered Research. JAMA. 2007; 297(4): 407-10.
  This article introduces a new paradigm, community-partnered participatory research, a form of CBPR that emphasizes partnership with community sites in design, implementation and ownership of the research activities.