OLCreate: PUB_9040_1.0 Community Based Research: Getting Started

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9 hours study
Level 1: Introductory
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  About this course
  
  Community based research means involving a community in all stages of a research process - this kind of research can give people the power to transform their lives. On this course you will learn the basics of community based research by examining the citizen science methodology used by the RELIEF Centre in Lebanon. You will learn to construct your own research questions to find out community needs and how to meet them. You will develop research skills to carry out local research projects sensitively and ethically, using examples from Lebanon to support you as an aspiring researcher.
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Course learning outcomes
- Discuss the uses of community based research
- Reflect on the sensitivities and ethics of community based research
- Develop research skills appropriate to community based research
- Assess the varying perspectives of different stakeholders in community based research
- Identify a research question for community based research and appropriate research methods to answer it
- Produce a proposal for a community based research project
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Course dates:

First Published 21/03/2025.

Updated 11/07/2025

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Course content

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Week 1

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ExpandWeek 1
- Select activity The what, why and how of community based research
  
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  Week 1: The what, why and how of community based research
  
  This week contains the following activities:
  
  Welcome
  What is community based research?
  Why would community based research help a community?
  How do we make it work?
  Summary and discussion
Welcome

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ExpandWelcome
Welcome to the course
- Select activity 1.1 Welcome to the course
  
  1.1 Welcome to the course Page
- Select activity Over to you: Introduce yourself (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Introduce yourself (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
What is community based research?

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ExpandWhat is community based research?
What it is, what you can use it for and what you can achieve with it
- Select activity 1.2 What is community based research?
  
  1.2 What is community based research? Page
- Select activity Over to you: Describe an issue (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Describe an issue (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.3 What it is and what it is not
  
  1.3 What it is and what it is not Page
- Select activity Over to you: Community based research vs other kinds of research (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Community based research vs other kinds of research (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.4 Is it community based research?
  
  1.4 Is it community based research? Quiz
  
  Are these good examples of Community Based Research?
  Quiz rules
  Quizzes do not count towards your course score, they are just to help you learn
  You may take as many attempts as you wish to answer each question
  You can skip questions and come back to them later if you wish
- Select activity 1.5 What can community based research achieve?
  
  1.5 What can community based research achieve? Page
- Select activity Over to you: Padlet posts (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Padlet posts (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.6 From research to intervention: the Hamra prosperity index
  
  1.6 From research to intervention: the Hamra prosperity index Page
- Select activity Over to you: Improved interventions (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Improved interventions (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Why would community based research help a community?

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ExpandWhy would community based research help a community?
Find out how viewing issues from multiple perspectives in the community can help bring about positive and inclusive change
- Select activity 1.7 Perspectives in the community
  
  1.7 Perspectives in the community Page
- Select activity Over to you: Perspectives (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Perspectives (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.8 Representing different points of view
  
  1.8 Representing different points of view Page
- Select activity Over to you (discussion)
  
  Over to you (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.9 From viewpoints to action
  
  1.9 From viewpoints to action Page
- Select activity Over to you: Learning from projects
  
  Over to you: Learning from projects Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
How do we make it work?

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ExpandHow do we make it work?
Successful research depends on asking the right questions and be sensitive to the community - how can we achieve this?
- Select activity 1.10 Asking the right questions
  
  1.10 Asking the right questions Page
- Select activity Over to you: Good interview questions (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Good interview questions (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.11 Refine your research question
  
  1.11 Refine your research question Page
- Select activity Over to you: Good research question challenges (dicussion)
  
  Over to you: Good research question challenges (dicussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 1.12 The sensitivities of the research process
  
  1.12 The sensitivities of the research process Page
- Select activity Over to you: Sensitivity to research process (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Sensitivity to research process (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Summary and discussion

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ExpandSummary and discussion
Now we can reflect on what we have looked at and discussed this week.
- Select activity 1.13 End of week discussion
  
  1.13 End of week discussion Page
- Select activity Over to you: Post your questions (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Post your questions (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Week 2

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ExpandWeek 2
- Select activity Skills for community based research
  
  Week 2: Skills for community based research
  This week contains the following activities
  From research question to data collection
  Developing interview skills
  Developing observation skills
  Summary
From research question to data collection

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ExpandFrom research question to data collection
How can we decide what data to collect to answer our research questions?
- Select activity 2.1 Overview of the week
  
  2.1 Overview of the week Page
- Select activity Over to you: Data collection (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Data collection (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.2 Collecting qualitative data
  
  2.2 Collecting qualitative data Page
- Select activity Over to you: Type of qualitative data (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Type of qualitative data (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.3 Collecting quantitative data
  
  2.3 Collecting quantitative data Page
- Select activity Over to you: Quantitative data (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Quantitative data (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.4 The link between research question and data
  
  2.4 The link between research question and data Quiz
  
  Now we reflect on the relationship between data and research question. For each research question, which dataset is most likely to help?
  Quiz rules
  Quizzes do not count towards your course score, they are just to help you learn
  You may take as many attempts as you wish to answer each question
  You can skip questions and come back to them later if you wish
Developing interview skills

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ExpandDeveloping interview skills
What makes a good interview question? What do you need to put in place to make your interviews a success?
- Select activity 2.5 Planning an interview for your project
  
  2.5 Planning an interview for your project Page
- Select activity Over to you: Planning an interview (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Planning an interview (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.6 Developing and refining interview questions
  
  2.6 Developing and refining interview questions Page
- Select activity 2.7 Conducting an interview
  
  2.7 Conducting an interview Page
- Select activity Over to you: Conducting an interview (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Conducting an interview (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Developing observation skills

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ExpandDeveloping observation skills
How can we hone our skills of watching and listening to get the most out of observing for data collection?
- Select activity 2.8 Creative ways of listening
  
  2.8 Creative ways of listening Page
- Select activity Over to you: Ways of listening (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Ways of listening (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.9 Ways of Watching
  
  2.9 Ways of Watching Page
- Select activity Over to you: Ways of watching (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Ways of watching (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.10 Participatory research through photo voice
  
  2.10 Participatory research through photo voice Page
- Select activity Over to you: Participatory community-based research (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Participatory community-based research (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 2.11 Remote research during COVID-19
  
  2.11 Remote research during COVID-19 Page
- Select activity Over to you: Remote research (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Remote research (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Summary

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ExpandSummary
Reflect on the week
- Select activity 2.12 End of week discussion
  
  2.12 End of week discussion Page
- Select activity Over to you: Questions to the educators (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Questions to the educators (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Week 3

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ExpandWeek 3
- Select activity Planning your community based research project
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Week 3: Planning your community based research project
  This week contains the following activities
  Developing your research project
  Submitting your research proposal for peer review
  Introduction to qualitative data analysis
  Networking and public engagement
  Final thoughts
Developing your research project

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ExpandDeveloping your research project
Now you have your research question and explored data collection methods, you can put together a research proposal
- Select activity 3.1 Introduction to the Week
  
  3.1 Introduction to the Week Page
- Select activity 3.2 Triangulating evidence
  
  3.2 Triangulating evidence Page
- Select activity Over to you: Triangulation (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Triangulation (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 3.3 Making sure the project meets ethical requirements
  
  3.3 Making sure the project meets ethical requirements Page
- Select activity Over to you: Ethical issue (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Ethical issue (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 3.4 Writing a research proposal
  
  3.4 Writing a research proposal Page
Submitting your research proposal for peer review

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ExpandSubmitting your research proposal for peer review
In these steps you will submit a short research proposal for peer review and review other participants' proposals
- Select activity 3.5 Overview of the Peer Review Process
  
  3.5 Overview of the Peer Review Process Page
- Select activity 3.6 Submission and Peer Review
  
  3.6 Submission and Peer Review Page
- Select activity 3.7 Research proposal and peer review
  
  3.7 Research proposal and peer review Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Introduction to qualitative data analysis

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ExpandIntroduction to qualitative data analysis
How can we make sense of the data we collect?
- Select activity 3.8 The challenges of qualitative data analysis
  
  3.8 The challenges of qualitative data analysis Page
- Select activity Over to you: Qualitative data (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Qualitative data (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 3.9 Practicing your analysis
  
  3.9 Practicing your analysis Page
- Select activity Over to you: Practicing your Analysis (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Practicing your Analysis (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Networking and public engagement

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ExpandNetworking and public engagement
How can we create a community based research community and engage others in our research?
- Select activity 3.10 Making an impact with your research
  
  3.10 Making an impact with your research Page
- Select activity Over to you: Making an impact (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Making an impact (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 3.11 Planning for an ongoing conversation
  
  3.11 Planning for an ongoing conversation Page
- Select activity Over to you: Share your thoughts (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Share your thoughts (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
- Select activity 3.12 Taking it further - plans for the future
  
  3.12 Taking it further - plans for the future Page
- Select activity Over to you: Taking it further (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Taking it further (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
Final thoughts

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ExpandFinal thoughts
Reflections on the course
- Select activity 3.13 Reflecting with the course team: end of course discussion
  
  3.13 Reflecting with the course team: end of course discussion Page
- Select activity Over to you: Questions to educators (discussion)
  
  Over to you: Questions to educators (discussion) Forum
  
  We encourage respectful, thoughtful, and constructive conversation. If you come across any content that you find offensive or inappropriate, please report it by emailing us at: eileen.kennedy@ucl.ac.uk.
References and Acknowledgments

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ExpandReferences and Acknowledgments
- Select activity Ing MM, Vento MA, Nakagawa K, Linton KF. A qualita...
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Ing MM, Vento MA, Nakagawa K, Linton KF. A qualitative study of transportation challenges among intracerebral hemorrhage survivors and their caregivers. Hawaii J Med Public Heal. 2014;73(11):353–7.
  McNiff J, Whitehead J. All you need to know about action research, 2nd edition. SAGE Publications. 2nd ed. Sage; 2011.

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Course

Community Based Research: Getting Started

About this course

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About this course

Gain digital badges

Course learning outcomes

Course content

ExpandWeek 1

ExpandWelcome

ExpandWhat is community based research?

Quiz rules

ExpandWhy would community based research help a community?

ExpandHow do we make it work?

ExpandSummary and discussion

ExpandWeek 2

ExpandFrom research question to data collection

Quiz rules

ExpandDeveloping interview skills

ExpandDeveloping observation skills

ExpandSummary

ExpandWeek 3

ExpandDeveloping your research project

ExpandSubmitting your research proposal for peer review

ExpandIntroduction to qualitative data analysis

ExpandNetworking and public engagement

ExpandFinal thoughts

ExpandReferences and Acknowledgments

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Community Based Research: Getting Started

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