Intro to Community Psychology

👨🏽‍🤝‍👨🏾Intro to Community Psychology Unit 2 – Research Methods in Community Psych

Research methods in community psychology focus on understanding and addressing social issues at the community level. These methods emphasize collaboration with community members, using approaches like participatory action research and community-based participatory research to ensure relevance and impact. Key concepts include ecological systems theory, empowerment, and sense of community. Data collection methods range from surveys and interviews to innovative techniques like photovoice. Ethical considerations and community engagement strategies are crucial for conducting meaningful and respectful research in diverse communities.

Key Concepts and Theories

  • Community psychology focuses on understanding and addressing social issues at the community level rather than solely at the individual level
  • Ecological systems theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals, families, communities, and larger societal structures and how they influence each other
    • Microsystem includes immediate environments (family, school, peer group)
    • Mesosystem comprises connections between microsystems (parent-teacher interactions)
    • Exosystem involves indirect environments (parent's workplace, community resources)
    • Macrosystem encompasses cultural values, laws, and societal norms
  • Empowerment theory highlights the importance of increasing individuals' control over their lives and their ability to effect change in their communities
  • Sense of community refers to the feeling of belonging, influence, and shared emotional connection among community members
  • Social capital theory emphasizes the value of social networks, trust, and reciprocity in promoting community well-being
  • Prevention and health promotion approaches aim to prevent problems before they occur and promote positive outcomes rather than solely treating existing issues
  • Participatory action research involves collaborating with community members throughout the research process to identify and address community needs

Research Design in Community Psychology

  • Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative approach that involves community members as equal partners in all stages of the research process
  • Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to provide a more comprehensive understanding of community issues
  • Longitudinal studies follow the same participants over an extended period to examine changes and development within communities
  • Cross-sectional studies collect data from a sample at a single point in time to provide a snapshot of community characteristics and issues
  • Quasi-experimental designs compare groups that are not randomly assigned, such as comparing communities with and without a specific intervention
  • Natural experiments take advantage of naturally occurring events or policies to examine their impact on communities (introduction of a new community center)
  • Participatory evaluation engages community members in assessing the effectiveness and impact of community-based programs and interventions

Data Collection Methods

  • Surveys and questionnaires gather self-reported data from community members on their experiences, attitudes, and behaviors
    • Can be administered in person, by mail, phone, or online
    • Likert scales measure agreement or disagreement with statements on a numbered scale
  • Interviews provide in-depth, qualitative data on individuals' perspectives and experiences within their communities
    • Semi-structured interviews follow a general guide but allow for flexibility and follow-up questions
    • Focus groups involve guided discussions with small groups of community members
  • Observations involve systematically recording behaviors and interactions within community settings (public spaces, community events)
  • Archival data includes existing records and documents (census data, community reports) that can provide historical and contextual information
  • Participatory mapping engages community members in creating visual representations of their communities, such as asset maps or problem maps
  • Photovoice involves participants using photography to document and discuss community strengths and challenges
  • Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) captures real-time data on individuals' experiences and behaviors within their natural contexts using mobile devices

Ethical Considerations

  • Informed consent ensures that participants understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of the research and voluntarily agree to participate
  • Confidentiality and anonymity protect participants' identities and personal information throughout the research process
  • Beneficence requires that research aims to benefit the community and minimize potential harm
  • Respect for persons acknowledges participants' autonomy and right to make their own decisions about participating in research
  • Justice ensures that the benefits and burdens of research are distributed fairly among community members
  • Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of the communities being studied
  • Community ownership and control of data recognizes the community's right to access and use data collected about their community
  • Dissemination of findings to the community in accessible and meaningful ways promotes transparency and empowerment

Community Engagement Strategies

  • Building trust and rapport with community members through consistent presence, active listening, and respectful communication
  • Identifying and collaborating with key community stakeholders (community leaders, organizations, residents) throughout the research process
  • Establishing a community advisory board to guide research priorities, design, and implementation
  • Conducting community needs assessments to identify the most pressing issues and priorities from the community's perspective
  • Providing training and capacity building opportunities for community members to actively participate in research and advocacy efforts
  • Organizing community forums and events to share research findings, gather feedback, and facilitate community-driven action planning
  • Developing culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate research materials and dissemination strategies
  • Advocating for policy changes and resource allocation based on research findings to promote community well-being and equity

Data Analysis Techniques

  • Descriptive statistics summarize and describe key characteristics of the data (means, frequencies, percentages)
  • Inferential statistics test hypotheses and draw conclusions about the larger population based on the sample data
    • T-tests compare means between two groups
    • ANOVA (analysis of variance) compares means among three or more groups
    • Regression analyses examine relationships between variables and predict outcomes
  • Qualitative data analysis involves identifying themes, patterns, and meanings within textual data (interviews, open-ended survey responses)
    • Coding assigns labels or categories to segments of text based on their content
    • Thematic analysis organizes codes into broader themes and examines relationships among themes
  • Social network analysis maps and analyzes the structure and characteristics of social relationships within a community
  • Geospatial analysis examines the spatial distribution of community characteristics and issues using geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Participatory data analysis engages community members in interpreting and making meaning of the data through collaborative workshops and discussions

Applying Research to Practice

  • Translating research findings into accessible and actionable recommendations for community members, organizations, and policymakers
  • Developing and implementing evidence-based interventions and programs based on research findings to address community needs
  • Collaborating with community partners to adapt and tailor interventions to fit the unique context and culture of the community
  • Conducting process and outcome evaluations to assess the effectiveness and impact of community-based interventions
  • Disseminating research findings and best practices through community forums, workshops, and media outlets to promote widespread adoption and replication
  • Advocating for policy changes and resource allocation based on research evidence to create sustainable, systems-level change
  • Building capacity within community organizations to integrate research and evaluation into their ongoing work and decision-making processes
  • Fostering long-term partnerships between researchers and communities to ensure the continuity and responsiveness of research to evolving community needs

Challenges and Future Directions

  • Balancing scientific rigor with community relevance and engagement in the research process
  • Addressing power imbalances and ensuring equitable participation and decision-making among researchers and community members
  • Navigating competing priorities and timelines between academic institutions and community organizations
  • Securing sustainable funding and resources for long-term, community-driven research and interventions
  • Overcoming mistrust and historical exploitation of marginalized communities in research
  • Developing and validating culturally appropriate measures and research methods for diverse communities
  • Integrating intersectionality and examining the multiple, overlapping systems of oppression that shape community experiences and outcomes
  • Embracing innovative and participatory research approaches (citizen science, arts-based methods) to engage and empower communities
  • Leveraging technology and social media to expand the reach and impact of community-based research and interventions
  • Promoting interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations to address the complex, multi-faceted nature of community issues


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.