Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a theory of and "collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community, has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities." (WK Kellogg Foundation Community Health Scholars Program).
Apply: CBPR can and should be used in community development projects. Before embarking on a community development initiative, CD staff should start by collaborating with community members to research something identified by the community. From there, staff can ensure that the research can combine with action, in whatever form that may take.
Adapt: CBPR can also be utilized in other settings, such as a new business opening up. For example, if a grocery store was looking to open in a neighborhood, it would be of benefit to both the community and the store owner to collaboratively research with neighborhood residents. They may discover a way to open a store that would best meet the wants and needs of the neighborhood, perhaps even incorporating socially just practices (i.e. hiring folks from the neighborhood vs. from outside, providing higher-quality foods, etc.)
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