Dialogical Action: Moving From Community-Based to Community-Driven Participatory Research

Abstract

Proponents of community-based research advocate for the active involvement and engagement of community members, citing improved construct validity, intervention efficacy, and accountability. However, to create the conditions in which expertise is mutually constructed and in which no one is the object of research, a reconsideration of the fundamental ethos of community involvement and engagement is required. In this article, we seek to accomplish two goals: (a) to briefly assess the definitions of community health, focus groups, and dissemination that are often used in community-based research; and (b) to introduce an application of dialogical action that goes beyond traditional focus group methodology to promote the creation of an evolving and dynamic dialogue among campus and community stakeholders. An urban case study is presented.

Community-Based Philosophy and Dialogue: Advancing a New Understanding of the Planner-Community Relationship

“…In fact, there are numerous accounts that describe the ways in which this practice facilitates a project (Gómez & Sordé Marti, 2012;Johnson, Ali, & Shipp et al, 2009;Montoya & Kent, 2011). And when not mentioned directly, dialogue often tends to be present implicitly, or becomes apparent by being the obvious missing factor.…”

“…Ideally, this element pervades all aspects of a grassroots project, including how, and by whom, a community is defined (Israel et al, 1998;Montoya & Kent, 2011). In fact, all of the individuals who demonstrate actively their interest in a community can be considered members, and thus play a role in this group's creation (Sullivan et al, 2003).…”

Workshop Scribbles, Policy Work and Impact: Anthropological Sensibilities in Praxis at an FASD Workshop

“…GoobermanHill argued that this poses a particular threat for qualitative and anthropological research -given its history of co-produced knowledge(s). Thinking through this cautionary tale from Gooberman-Hill, I want to return to Montoya and Kent's (2011) community-driven research. Their project required community members become researchers and be involved in all aspects of the project from design to analysis.…”

The Article Idea Chart: A participatory action research tool to aid involvement in dissemination

“…In community mental health research, including consumer survivors in the dissemination process helps ensure that scientific findings are communicated in appropriate, efficient and accessible ways (Montoya & Kent 2011 We first describe the methods used to engage stakeholders in committees as membership has a direct impact on participation in the Article Idea Chart. In order to effectively manage the various aspects of the CURA program, a total of eight committees and subcommittees were developed.…”

“…The dissemination of results and recommendations is arguably the most important aspect of PAR projects; Montoya andKent (2011, p. 1003) explain: 'It is vitally important to communicate results and interpretations with community partners and to present information in a way that is both informative and respectful'.…”