Community-Based Participatory Research

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

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505-922 Research Methods in Social Health

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
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There is increasing global recognition that public health research seeking to change the social determinants of health is most effective when communities are actively engaged. Therefore, many health researchers are looking towards participatory approaches to the production of knowledge. This subject will give students an understanding of, and experience in, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). CBPR is a collaborative approach to research that emerges from the interests or problems of a specific group or community, and is enacted through a specific set of social values. It is of interest to students wanting to build the necessary skills to support communities to deepen their understanding of their circumstances and to take action to help resolve conditions undermining health. In addition to gaining knowledge about CBPR perspectives, students will be taught a range of methodological approaches utilised in CBPR approaches globally. As part of this subject, students will be expected to participate in (a) practical exercises designed to enhance skills and techniques; and (b) workshopping, analysis and reflection of data collected during an in-class research project.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• Have relevant training in social sciences research methods and techniques as applied in Community Based Participatory Research
• Understand the advantages and limitations of a variety of social science research methods, and practical experience in the application of select methods
• Understand the benefits, limitations, challenges and ethical issues associated with a participatory approach to public health research
• Understand the relationship between research design and research methods
• Have developed problem solving skills to deal with practical issues that arise in the conduct of social research
• Be able to critically self- reflect on the CPBR process

• Assessment 1 (written assessment task) due Mid semester (30%)
• Assessment 2 (written assessment task) due at the end of semester(50%)
• Reflective blog (LMS), Ongoing throughout semester (20%)

Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students will have:

• Gained practical skills in social sciences research methods used in Community-Based Research
• Developed the ability to plan their own research work
• Developed strategies for dealing with problems that arise in the planning and conduct of research
• Gained skills in collection and interpretation of data
• Effective written and oral communication skills