Conducting community‐based participatory research in an urban Malaysian community: Lessons learned and challenges in establishing partnerships

Abstract

This paper presents the process of how partnerships are established between an urban residential community and an academic institution in Malaysia by employing community‐based participatory research, which involves researchers, community members, and organizational representatives as coresearchers. The research process encompasses colearning, power sharing, and coconstructing of knowledge, with the community members driving the research direction. The research paradigm is grounded on conducting research with the community. This paper highlights the experience and lessons learned while applying the principles of community‐based participatory research that promotes social participation of older persons living in a residential community. Two pertinent challenges surface in the research process. The first challenge involves the complexity noted in the gap between the emancipation of community‐based participatory research and the hierarchical social structure of the society. The second challenge is the prevalence of unspoken yet subtle domination that undermines the local cultural values affecting the process of coconstructing knowledge with the community. Recommendations for addressing these challenges include future partnerships with other Malaysian communities as well as cross‐border research partnerships.

How and how well have older people been engaged in healthcare intervention design, development or delivery using co‐methodologies: A scoping review with narrative summary

“…The authors identify essential elements of effective participation including working together and creating opportunities to be engaged at different stages of research. Teoh et al (2018) report two key challenges in co-methods work, firstly the potential for hierarchy within the team and secondly power dynamics.…”

“…These were often small extracts which we were drawn to and which offered a key to understanding what matters. Beyond existing principles(Aner, 2016;Arnstein, 1969;Teoh et al, 2018) we have identified gems of good practice and from these derived pragmatic recommendations for enhancing future C-MW with older people. Preparation is key, researchers need to consider why they are choosing to use C-MW and then articulate this to older people including discussion of expectations and limitations.…”