Community-Based Research in Generating Usable Knowledge for Public Policy and Administration

Abstract

Community-based research (CBR) is an approach used by researchers in partnership with practitioners and community members to tackle complex social problems for the betterment of society. Its application to the field of public policy and management is fairly new, and as a result, frameworks for its application are underdeveloped. This article discusses the rationale for applying this tool to the public policy and management field, and outlines major challenges that exist in its application. This article also highlights key principles of CBR and applies them to a study funded by a federal agency in the United States.