Authors:
Lawrence A. Palinkas, Benjamin Springgate, Leopoldo J. Cabassa, Michelle Shin, Samantha Garcia, Benjamin F. Crabtree & Jennifer Tsui
University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.
✪ Open Access
Published: April 2025
Read the full text in the open access journal Implementation Science Communications
Abstract:
Background
Community engagement is widely recognized as critical to successful and equitable implementation of evidence-based practices, programs, and policies. However, there are no clear guidelines for community involvement in data collection and analysis in implementation research.
Methods
We describe three specific methods for engaging community members in data collection and analysis: concept mapping, rapid ethnographic assessment, and Photovoice. Common elements are identified from a case study of each method: 1) selection and adaptation of evidence-based strategies for improving adolescent HPV vaccine initiation rates in disadvantaged communities, 2) strategies for implementing medication for opioid use disorders among low-income Medicaid enrollees during natural disasters, and 3) interventions to improve the physical health of adults with severe mental illness living in supportive housing.
Results
In all three cases, community members assisted in participant recruitment, provided data, and validated preliminary findings created by researchers. In the Photovoice case study, community members participated in both data collection and analysis, while in the concept mapping, community members also participated in the initial phase of organizing and prioritizing evidence-based strategies during the data analysis.
Conclusions
Community involvement in implementation research data collection and analysis contributes to greater engagement and empowerment of community members and validation of study findings. Use of methods that exhibit both scientific rigor and community relevance of implementation research also contributes to greater community investment in successful implementation outcomes. Nevertheless, the case studies point to the importance and efficiency of the division of labor embedded in community-engaged implementation research. Building capacity for community members to assume greater roles in obtaining and organizing data for preliminary analysis prior to interpretation is recommended.
Contributions to the literature
- Guidelines exist for conducting community engaged research but provide no clear instructions for community involvement in data collection and analysis.
- This paper examines the potential of community engaged data collection and analysis in implementation research through case studies of concept mapping, rapid ethnographic methods, and Photovoice.
- Community involvement in implementation research data collection and analysis contributes to greater engagement and empowerment of community members, validation of study findings, and commitment to successful implementation outcomes.
**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**