Question

strategy to increase dialogue in CBPR

Answer 1

CBPR or Community-Based Participatory Research involves cooperation, collaboration, participation, empowering or communities. As such dialogue plays a major role in CBPR. To enhance dialogue between members and other leaders in the CBPR program there should be a place for the following values mutual respect; recognition of the knowledge, expertise, and resource capacities of the participants in the process; and open communication. Participatory communities must feel that they are getting the respect they deserve and their voice is heard. This will boost mutual confidence and result in increased dialogue. Researchers should engage with community members in problem definition, data collection, interpretation of results, and application of the results to address community concerns wherever and whenever possible. This will definitely feel the people empowered and valued and thus enhances dialogue and open communication. During interactions, people or community members must be encouraged to ask whatever the questions they may have about research without fearing any intimidation.

CBPR projects should produce, interpret and disseminate findings to community members in clear, easy, and simple language respectful to the community. The researchers should make sure that no scientific jargon (especially Latini jargon or Math/Statistical words such as correlation, normal distribution, etc) is used in the research findings or research report given to the community. This will encourage community members to engage in a dialogue between themselves and also to researchers about the findings and its implications for the community.

If the study has any recommendations people shall be encouraged to discuss its implementation process. This will also boost dialogue in CBPR.