What it is?
It is a method built in collaboration that involves equal opportunities for engagement between individuals concerned with a specific issue. This means that both the participants and researchers are actively involved in developing the goals, and methods for data collection as well as analysis of the data.
Definition
It is a research process that endeav颅ours to balance interests, benefits, and responsibilities between the Indigenous Peoples and the research institutions concerned, through a commitment to equitable research partnership. The term 鈥減articipatory research鈥� carries the implication that the entire process, from planning to reporting, will be transpar颅ent and accessible to all parties involved.聽
Key Characteristics聽
- Community-driven: aiming to make a positive impact on communities.
- Active participation: involving those most affected by the research.
- Promoting change: aiming to implement the results to promote change.
- Understanding perspectives: Looks to understand from different perspectives.
Indigenous Peoples and participatory health research principles
- Both parties enter into a research relationship as equal partners.
- Health research is undertaken only if the proposed research topic and process are compatible with the health priorities and needs of the Indigenous Peoples.
- Health research proposals should be prepared jointly.
- The goals, objectives, and methods of the research should be agreed between the partners.
- Work should not start until the research has been authorized by the national, regional, or local research ethics committee, and any research agreement planned between the parties has been drawn up and signed.
Examples
Inuit Health Survey
- The cross-sectional health survey was guided by and developed with Northern Partners and jurisdictional steering committee members.
- Comments and feedback were requested from the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Government of Nunavut Health and Social Services Department, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
- Approvals for the community health screening were obtained from the 平特五不中 Ethics Review Committee, the Nunavut Research Institute, and the community.
- A community and CINE research agreement was developed and approved by the Hamlet Council.
- A community steering committee guided and helped in all aspects of the fieldwork and ensured appropriate and accurate translations of consent forms and questionnaires into Inuktitut.
Kuhnlein, H. V., Erasmus, B., Spigelski, D., Food, Nations, A. O. o. t. U., Nutrition, M. U. C. f. I. P., & Environment. (2009). Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems: The Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment.
Dietary nutrients and anthropometry of Dene/M茅tis and Yukon children
- Five communities were selected by the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Dene Nation to represent women and children in the approximately 30 communities of Yukon First Nations and Dene/M茅tis.
- Research agreements with all communities were made and science licenses were obtained from the Territorial authorities
Nakano, T., Fediuk, K., Kassi, N., Egeland, G. M., & Kuhnlein, H. V. (2005). Dietary nutrients and anthropometry of Dene/M茅tis and Yukon children. International journal of circumpolar health, 64(2), 147鈥�156.
Arctic Indigenous peoples experience the nutrition transition with changing dietary patterns and obesity
- Each community maintained a research agreement with CINE to ensure the completion of procedures using locally resident research assistants.
- Collective consent was obtained from the Council of Yukon First Nations, Dene Nation, M茅tis Nation of the NWT, and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
- Results of these studies were reported back to the organizations and the communities using workshops, posters, and media interviews.
Kuhnlein, H. V., Receveur, O., Soueida, R., & Egeland, G. M. (2004). Arctic indigenous peoples experience the nutrition transition with changing dietary patterns and obesity. The Journal of nutrition, 134(6), 1447鈥�1453.
WASH in Usoma, Kenya
- A research team used photovoice to facilitate social action around Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) issues in a rural community in Kenya.
- After a conversation about hygiene practices, 8 women took photographs that represented facilities, attitudes, and behaviors around them.
- Doing this, they noticed unsanitary behaviors, inadequate facilities, and how alternative solutions were used and perceived.
- Then participants discussed their experiences with and (re)action to the photographs. From the group discussion, three major themes emerged: awareness, immediate (re)actions, and planned actions.
- Realizations during the photography process combined with insights from the group discussion raised awareness and motivated community members to act.
- Following the project, community leaders reported that there was better cooperation among various groups in the community, completion of a water and sanitation block, and increased participation in the activities of the Usoma Water and Sanitation (UWASH) Committee.
Tremblay C, Gauthier M & Orstadius C. Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR). 2023.
Sources
Dadich, A., Moore, L. & Eapen, V. What does it mean to conduct participatory research with Indigenous peoples? A lexical review. BMC Public Health 19, 1388 (2019).
Sims, J. & Kuhnlein, H.V. 2003. Indigenous Peoples and Participatory Health Research. Geneva, World Health Organization and Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment.聽