Methods in CBR
In addition to leading and facilitating community-based research and evaluation (CBRE) projects, CUP members also study the work that they do. CUP is committed to growing and learning about how to do CBRE effectively and creating opportunities to learn about and apply CBRE principles to practice.
Completed Projects
The purpose of this research is to develop a project that documents the "how" of the CBR process when working with vulnerable populations. This project will focus on the needs of vulnerable populations and the considerations and best practices that should be undertaken to create collaborative, respectful, and positive environments in which to conduct research. Considerations across all stages of the research process will be examined (planning, recruitment, data collection and analysis, results, knowledge mobilization, after care).
This project is about critical reflection and critical dialogue among graduate students and their university mentors during their participation between 2009 and 2013 in the Summer Studentship in Community-Based Research.
Read MoreEngaging high-risk 'marginalized' youth presents a significant challenge, considering the prevalence of disconnect and distrust that these youth often experience with the system in which they live. Yet, meaningful youth engagement is a key concept not only for positive youth development, but also for system change to more effectively support high-risk youth and families. The purpose of our Participatory Action Research (PAR) project is to engage multiple partners (youth, practitioners, policymakers, and academic researchers) in dialogue on how to improve youth engagement and development at a systems level.
An early phase of this PAR project involves the youth-led development and testing of a framework for youth engagement. Our 15-member youth engagement group with diverse backgrounds (e.g., Aboriginal youth and immigrant youth) has identified nine organized themes of Basis (philosophy/principles), What (goals/outcomes), and How (actions/pathways to change) that constitute the youth engagement framework. These themes focus on relationship building, co-learning, mutual understanding and respect, and the use of strength-based, growth-oriented approaches. Knowledge mobilization and capacity building for practice, policy, and social change are an important element of our PAR project to more effectively support high-risk, marginalized youth.
Community-based research and evaluation is characterized by partnerships of people with diverse types of expertise and experiences, yet how do we decide if we are doing CBRE well? Conventional research terms such as 'rigour' or 'ethics' may not be meaningful to all partners. The study explores what additional ways might exist to determine the quality and trustworthiness of CBRE.