Community-Based Participatory Research: Ameliorating Conflict When Community and Research Practices Meet

BACKGROUND: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is "a collaborative process that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings." Yet working collaboratively throughout the research process is easier said than done. OBJECTIVES: To illustrate what happens when community partners' and research partners' "unique strengths" or ways of working collide, and the lessons learned from the process partners used to work through their differences. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative method was used to answer the research question, "How do community and research partners resolve conflict embedded in conventional community and research practices?" LESSONS LEARNED AND CONCLUSIONS: When new partners join an established CBPR partnership, it is important to begin by getting to know the new partner rather than with the tasks that need to be accomplished. Furthermore, when conflict is pervasive, partners should move away from discussions and work together on a concrete task together.