Towards an inclusive knowledge base for community-based research and sustainable knowledge production

Abstract

The need for community-based research and knowledge development in municipalities is an unexplored area. This article explores the experiences and views on knowledge production based on a case study in a small municipality. It poses the question of what is relevant knowledge within social work practice framing it from a multi-actor perspective. We argue that by using an inclusive approach ensuring the views and experiences of different professionals, it may facilitate the development of a knowledge-based practice. The data material consists of focal municipality documents and semi-structured interviews with leading actors. These stakeholders represent different domains of practice within social work and the social welfare services and have different positions within the municipality. A conceptual framework of knowledge is used as a theoretical and analytical approach in the study. The results show that this approach serves as a starting point for mapping current interests and needs for knowledge development in the municipality and ensures the different voices of the professionals. The results also highlight the multiple sources of knowledge for developing a knowledge-based practice. We argue that organisational, practitioner, user, policy and research knowledge are all valid sources and must be taken into account in knowledge development processes to be able to contribute to the development of practices and policies. Multiple sources of knowledge can, together with collaborative learning, create a more sensitive and research-informed practice. Furthermore, long-lasting actor-researcher relationships between the university and the municipalities may offer a set of strategies for building a sustainable research collaboration.

Effects of Reconstruction Planning on the Utility of Social Capital in Minamisanriku, Miyagi after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

“…My community partners and I began working in 2017, and they remained my primary affiliates on this 2019-2020 project and participated in the research design, proposal development, participant recruitment, problem solving, data collection, and creation of informational materials, such as infographics and other explanatory material of this study's results given to participants and the town office. Using CBPR created mutual trust and understanding between me and my partners, residents who interacted with the community partners, and other residents and stakeholders in the community (Rosengren et al 2014). Trust, transparency, and understanding were supported through frequent and regular meetings before, during, and after completing this study, discussing disagreements, and coming to united decisions on how to resolve disagreements.…”