Purposes of Community-based Research: Supporting communities driving change
In general, community-based research can help drive meaningful change by actively involving those directly affected by the issues in the research process. To name a few examples, active involvement can include being a part of:
- What needs researching
- How to conduct the research and what methods to use
- Gathering data
- Having a voice in interpreting findings and making recommendations
- Mobilizing findings and recommendations for other people’s knowledge
- Supporting the use and application of research knowledge
More specifically, here are four aims that further paint a picture of how community-based research can serve the purpose of helping communities drive change.
CENTERING THE VOICE OF LIVED AND LIVING EXPERIENCE
Community-based research (CBR) is most impactful when it is shaped by those who are directly affected by the issues being studied. People with firsthand experience bring perspectives shaped by their conditions, lifestyles, cultures, and identities. When conducted effectively, CBR can reveal firsthand knowledge based on firsthand experience that can then inform and improve the very programs and services that are intended for people with lived and living experience (PWLLE). By integrating these voices into research from the beginning, the process becomes more grounded in real-world needs.
When individuals with lived and living experience actively contribute to research design and implementation, the focus shifts from merely studying communities to working alongside them. Their insights guide the research process, ensuring that findings remain relevant and actionable. This not only strengthens the legitimacy of the research but also fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among those whose lives the research seeks to improve.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND COLLABORATION
Strong relationships form the foundation of effective CBR. Engaging meaningfully and sustainably with PWLLE and other community members, often in spaces where they live and work, helps CBR research teams build trust and mutual understanding. The building process is even more strengthened when members of the research team include PWLLE. These interactions go beyond data collection; they create connections between people who play different roles in driving change. It is important for each role and the individuals who do their part in fulfilling a role are recognized for their contributions which fosters a sense of shared purpose and strengthens collective efforts.
The bonds formed during the research process within a community-based research team and participants extend beyond a single project. Collaborative experiences teach communities how to work together effectively, making it easier to tackle future challenges. When trust and cooperation are nurtured, CBR becomes more than just a research method—it becomes a tool for ongoing collaboration, action, and therefore change.
INSIGHTS INTO ACTION
CBR is not just about uncovering new information, it’s about using that information to make a difference. Research findings can validate existing practices, reveal new approaches, inform policies/programs/services and offer compelling evidence for advocacy. By generating knowledge that is relevant useful to the community because it is created by the community, CBR supports the development of community-tailored strategies-for-change that can be applied realistically.
Rather than reinforcing a single way of doing things, CBR challenges assumptions and broadens perspectives. It allows communities to test ideas, refine models of practice, and determine what works best in their specific contexts. By translating insights into tangible steps, CBR ensures that research leads to meaningful, lasting change.
CAPACITY-BUILDING AND BRIDGING
Capacity-building is the process of individuals, groups, teams, and organizations within a community getting equipped with the skills, knowledge, resources, and confidence to take action on issues that matter to them. It can involve learning through “doing” or more formal methods such as training or self-study. When people with lived experience are included in these efforts, capacity-building also nurtures a sense of ownership and agency, enabling communities to lead change from within.
Capacity-bridging complements capacity-building by connecting different types of knowledge, lived experience, and professional expertise, and academic research. This kind of bridging breaks down silos, allowing communities to share strategies, amplify voices, and build collective power.
When people take an active role in community-based research, it can build their capacity as individuals, groups, teams, and organizations. Furthermore, those very same people can connect and collaborate with others to bridge capacity to accomplish a shared goal; it’s about people partnering together.
When does capacity-building and bridging occur?
People can build and bridge capacity during the various stages of CBR that can include needs assessment, research design, data collection, analysis, and knowledge mobilization. What is learned in each of these stages can be applied to other CBR initiatives in the future.
After a community-based research project or study is completed, people who were actively involved can continue to build and bridge by supporting the use of the research knowledge that was generated with other people and communities. Through this support and effort, the research knowledge becomes a resource for other people and communities to do their own capacity bridging and building.
Summary
Community-based research can foster meaningful change by prioritizing lived & living experience, strengthening partnerships, turning insights into action, and fostering shared learning. By centering those most impacted, building trust, and ensuring research leads to tangible outcomes, CBR empowers communities to shape solutions that matter. This foundation of purpose naturally leads to understanding how to conduct CBR.
Questions? Feedback? Get in touch!
This post was prepared for PAN’s Research and Evaluation Treehouse by:
Monte Strong, Research Coordinator, [email protected]