1. Community–led research
Dr Lesley Greenaway
(Evaluation Services)
Jacqui McDowell
(CFHS NHS Health Scotland) JM

2. What we plan to do now
Brief inputs on community led research approach, to introduce website resources & share how they were used in a research project involving 3 partners
Short discussion on the approach, in pairs/small groups
Practical experience of using one of the tools
Check delegates expectations via introductions
Double act
Check expectations – do a thumbs up down vote,is this balance about what you anticipated, check out if there are lots of thumbs downs
Lesley do introductions ie who are and what want in two – three words, this is another check for us, remember more networking later this is just to put faces to names
10 mins approx

3. Jacqui

4. 1. What is a community-led research approach?
Align with principles of empowerment and participation
Local people make enquiries within own community
Positive & respectful way to research sensitive issues
Community researchers bring their own assets & talents eg rich understanding of the context & issue
Possible future wins eg for researchers, for organisation & community
Lesley

5. On planning Research question(s) Steps and stages in the process
Resources, expenses, venue, incentives, staffing, transcription, dissemination
Team building
Lesley

6. 2. Getting started
Lesley

7. Discussion
What issue or research question do you have that could suit this approach?
What resources & partners do you have, or could you access, to support the process?
Jacqui
Pair discussion approx. 10 mins

8. 3. Doing research together
Designing questions
Deciding who to ask
Choosing your research method/s
Collecting your data
Lesley

9. Things to think about…
Background data ensuring the right people are reached
Informed consent and permissions
Same and/or different
Using technology
Lesley

10. 4. What your research means – …
Qualitative and quantitative
Not another spreadsheet
Main report, many communication tools: audience, purpose, focus, message
Jacqui

11. A real example What Community led research into food security
Why Questions = What would/could food security look like and mean for people?
How would this be different from where they are now?
What would need to happen in people’s communities to achieve food security for all?
Who
Resources Investment for partners + Specialist support (Lesley)
When – 2016
Jacqui

12. …at a glance 5 Community researchers 3 focus groups
Burnfoot Healthy
Living Networks
VOMO
EYC
BHLN
Mens group
Mums and toddlers
Central and West Integration Network
Recruitment
12 Community Researchers
Introduction
Build team
Training
Code of practice
Designing questions
Target groups
Plan methods
Data collection
Pilot survey
Interviews
Focus groups
Analysis
Discussion
Findings
Reporting
Report
Celebrate
Share
Focus group
Linwood Community
Development Trust
Individual interview
5 Community researchers
LCDT staff
Glasgow Caledonian University
3 focus groups
7 Individual interview
Video
Jacqui

13. Creative dissemination..
Jacqui
Creative dissemination..

14. 5. Evaluating the community-led research process
Project review and evaluation activities
Recognition and celebration
What next for community researchers?
Lesley

15. Successes and challenges
The research was undertaken, reports delivered & outcomes achieved – for partners, community researchers and us
Unexpected outputs – resources for web
Adapting to and learning from the variations in approach
Challenges
Time, all took longer than expected or desired
Small sample sizes, potentially restricted range of population eg no young people
Unexpected issues due to variations in approach
Double act
Lesley
Successes – groups ie one used their report to support a successful funding bid, for community researchers – skills that they want to use to do more research, some have gone on to be involved in other activities locally and have ideas to take forward , for us learning about the topic from the group we wanted to hear from which we can share with others re measuring food insecurity, understanding the issue and practice development
unexpected outputs – we had not planned to produce resources for website but as they were produced we were able to take advantage of the opportunity
Adapting to the variations in approach needed more flexibility, creativity etc than anticipated, use of videographers and other partners, different ways to recruit volunteers, central role of food eg meals, pilot community event, gifts for respondendents
Jacqui Challenges

16. Take away learning Investment in early stages is crucial
Be flexible and open to adapt the pace
Piloting the approach in a real context pays off
Time
Jacqui

17. Group activity
Practical example of using a tool to help create a code of practice
Lesley
10 mins activity plus 5 – 10 feedback

18. Review and recap
Jacqui

19. Next steps….
Provide support for partners local dissemination and to take forward a small piece of work
Share learning about community led research and findings at CFHS networking conference
Share learning and findings via CFHS website and directly with other stakeholders
Draft article(s) for appropriate journals and newsletters
Jacqui