Methods and lessons learned in community based participatory research as an academic process: A student's perspective

Tufts University faculty in collaboration with the Somerville, Massachusetts Immigrant Service Provider's Group developed a model to engage community members and community health students in public health research. With this partnership as a foundation, a community-based research study, Survey of Health and Immigrant Practices in Somerville (SHIPS), was set in the context of a community health research seminar.

We will discuss this curriculum-as-research model from a student's perspective. We have transformed from students intimidated by field research to confident collaborators on this study. We are less intimidated by prospective research projects, and we have developed a greater appreciation for collaboration and the importance of research partnerships. We have experienced the difficulties that arise when surveying hard to reach populations, which has forced us to see access to health care through a new lens, and has influenced our ideas for future public health interventions. Additionally, we will identify how this type of project fosters a positive relationship between a University and its host community.

Students involved in this project serve as liaisons between the community partners and their target population by collecting data that supports the data needs of service providers. This data benefits the community by providing necessary data for policy advocacy and information to help in the design and delivery of appropriate, effective, and responsive services. We will identify the mechanisms that enable students to collaborate on this project: taking on specific leadership roles, working with community partners to conduct interviews at health fairs, and implementing recruitment tactics.