New guidance puts communities at the heart of research

“Data collection from communities in Africa is a common approach for much social science research,” says Knight. “This often involves researchers collecting data in the form of interviews, questionnaires and focus groups on topics that relate to the participants’ lives and experiences.” 

However, community members are not always involved in identifying research priorities applicable to their needs or in designing the studies that are developed to address them. Such researcher-driven research may lead to problems in attracting buy-in and adequate engagement from local communities. In turn, this can lead to research results being poorly-founded, unrepresentative, or sidelining a diversity of voices. 

“This is particularly important in Africa where community-based research should lead to outcomes that improve the lives of individuals and their communities. The absence of sustained community involvement may mean that policies developed to address public health, education or other needs may not be as effective as they should.” 

Research co-creation

Research co-creation is an emerging theme in social science research, where community members are actively engaged with research projects from the outset, helping researchers design the study, collect the data and communicate outcomes. Research co-creation is therefore bottom-up, emergent, and responsive to changing community needs. As a result, communities become active agents in the research process, with their voices and concerns heard and valued. But how can researchers do this? This new study by Jasper Knight identifies some key recommendations:

• Think carefully what you mean by ‘community’ or ‘participant population’ in your study
• Work with existing structures and organisations 
• Engage with the community and understand their needs before you design your study
• Seek local change agents – these are not necessarily community ‘leaders’
• Empower and upskill individuals such as through employing local research assistants
• Be aware of marginalised voices, do not just listen to those that shout loudest
• Think about the sustainability of any interventions or projects
• Research ‘outputs’ can come in varied forms – do not just chase the metrics of a journal article
• Communicate widely and in diverse ways