Participatory Community Research addresses the gap between scientific
knowledge and the practice of community based research methods. Unlike the traditional
approaches to research in which researchers generate the ideas for projects,
define the methods, and interpret the outcomes, the approaches of participatory
research empower community populations to shape the research agenda. Their participation
often results in generating greater sociopolitical awareness and affectinglarge
systemic change in the community.
Although this type of research has proven
to be a powerful tool for community intervention, comparative analyses of methods
and outcomes are absent from the literature. In this volume, leading community
psychologists and practitioners discuss recent theoretical advances and innovative
methods in the field. Valuable case studies illustrate how these participatory
approaches have led to high quality collaborations, interventions,