Research Overview
The community-based “participatory model” of research supports an ongoing, mutually beneficial dialogue between the research efforts of health disparity centers throughout North Carolina and the specific needs of communities throughout the State.
Research Agenda
Based upon over a decade of experience and study, Barbara Israel (Israel et al, 1998) identified nine key principles of community-based participatory research that support successful research partnerships and are widely cited Recognizes community as a unit of identity
- Builds on strengths and resources within the community
- Facilitates collaborative, equitable involvement of all partners in all phases of the research
- Integrates knowledge and intervention for mutual benefit of all partners
- Promotes a co-learning and empowering process that attends to social inequalities
- Involves a cyclical and iterative process
- Addresses health from both positive and ecological perspectives
- Disseminates findings and knowledge gained to all partners
- Involves long-term commitment by all partners.
Israel B, Schulz A, Parker E and Becker A. (1998). Review of community-based research: Assessing partnership approaches to improve public health. Annual Review of Public Health, 19, 173-202.