Participatory Community Research: Theories and Methods in Action (APA Decade of Behavior Volumes)

Participatory Community Research addresses the gap between scientific knowledge and the practice of community based research methods. Unlike the traditional approaches to research in which researchers generate the ideas for projects, define the methods, and interpret the outcomes, the approaches of participatory research empower community populations to shape the research agenda. Their participation often results in generating greater sociopolitical awareness and affecting large systemic change in the community. Although this type of research has proven to be a powerful tool for community intervention, comparative analyses of methods and outcomes are absent from the literature. In this volume, leading community psychologists and practitioners discuss recent theoretical advances and innovative methods in the field. Valuable case studies illustrate how these participatory approaches have led to high quality collaborations, interventions, and prevention projects. Chapters examine the effects of participatory research on the community, research quality, collaborative challenges, and best practices. This text elucidates the challenges and successes of community psychology and will help