ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on participatory research methods that involve community partnerships, which are common within social justice research. We begin the chapter by examining how community and community-based research have been understood within social sciences and Communication. We then delve into some common terminology, principles, and practical suggestions to consider when designing, implementing, and assessing community-based research projects. Community-based social justice research emphasizes principles such as collaboration, participation, experiential knowledge, action-orientation, and social transformation, which will be elaborated upon in this chapter. Readers will also learn about various types of participatory research and approaches such as the socio-ecological model, community-based participatory research, participatory action research, trauma-informed participatory approach, culture-centered approach, program intervention studies, engaged scholarship, and public scholarship. The nuts and bolts of planning and implementing community research will be discussed, from problem definition to evaluation and feedback. We end the chapter with some practical considerations while conducting such research, such as long-term involvement, project management, and community consent.
