CUR Annual Meeting 2002 Report
 
Community-based Research Collaborations: Students and Faculty as Civic Scientists

Led by Jill Chopyak and Elizabeth Paul

Twenty-four persons attended this lively and interactive workshop to learn how one can engage in community-based research with undergraduates. The key to community-based research is indeed to base the research in the community ---- to expect persons from the local community to develop the research questions and to participate in the data collection and analysis as much as possible using scientifically valid research protocols that are agreed upon by all participants. The research participants from the community side are actually participating in educating students. The community group mediates issues to focus the research on community needs.

Students who participate in community-based research find themselves changed by the experience. The relationship they develop with community leaders is a powerful one. Faculty attending the meeting noted that some students started to read local newspapers, wrote letters to the editor, and otherwise became more civic-minded.

Community-based research should lead to a public presentation of research results. This is a good opportunity for student involvement. Students often are a good bridge between academics and communities because they have less "baggage".

Community-based research has a special responsibility for ethical behavior, paying attention to such issues as informed consent, privacy, data sharing, and scrupulous maintenance of data and reporting of results. Thus it provides an excellent training ground in these issues for students.

Question: "How does one get a foot in the door with a community group without setting the agenda for them?" Answer: "Take part in community organizations through volunteering, or go to them to share your interest in their issues. One source of linkage to urban communities is black churches. Be patient. Ask questions rather than providing answers. Find out who these people are and what they need. One must be sensitive to the power dynamics within a community ---- there usually are multiple viewpoints and approaches within community groups. There may also be fear of research and researchers, who come from an outside power structure. A relationship of trust must be built."