Practical Tips for Establishing Partnerships With Academic Researchers: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations.

BACKGROUND

Research exists on strategies for successful conduct of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Unfortunately, few published resources are available to advise community-based organizations (CBOs) on preparation for and engagement in CBPR.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to create a resource for CBOs that describes how an organization can prepare for and participate in CBPR.

METHODS

We used a case study approach of one CBO with a decade-long history of collaboration with academic researchers. We identified lessons learned through a retrospective review of organizational records and the documentation of experiences by CBO leadership and research partners. The findings were then labeled according to CBPR Partnership Readiness Model dimensions.

LESSONS LEARNED

The review of CBO documents and key informant interviews yielded ten practical tips to increase organizational readiness for and engagement in CBPR.

CONCLUSIONS

By understanding the best practices for organizational readiness for and participation in CPBR, CBOs will be better equipped to actively participate in community-academic partnerships.