Much of the literature on community-based participatory research focuses on qualitative studies. This project demonstrates the need in community settings for research using more quantitative methods.
As part of the Johns Hopkins University, Urban Health Institute (UHI), we surveyed community based organizations in East Baltimore about the services they currently provided and inquired how the UHI could assist them with their projects. A majority of the community groups queried provided some degree of substance abuse services since our community partners identified this as the number one priority in the neighborhood. We asked these community-based organizations to prioritize their research needs. Two-thirds noted that they wanted help writing grants and to partner with Hopkins in projects. Over half said they would like assistance setting up databases so they could track their own outcomes.
When given a list of projects in which they would be most interested, there was a clear preference for three projects: (1) receiving technical assistance from JHU researchers on how to develop their own program evaluations, data bases, or surveys; (2) working with information systems specialists at the university to obtain and/or improve their Internet services; and (3) working with Hopkins researchers to develop community-based initiatives eligible for grant funding.
This process reinforced that while there is not a single voice that represents "the community," there is a need to facilitate data-driven projects in the community. These findings represent areas that can be addressed as we develop our community-based participatory research program at the Urban Health Institute.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: (1) Identify some of the quantitative research need of community-based organizations and (2) Discuss how universities can partner with community groups to help them meet their research needs
Keywords: Community Research, Community-Based Partnership
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.