Opportunities and Pitfalls of Community-Based Research: A Case Study (Survey) (Case Study‪)‬

Support for, and engagement in, community-based research (CBR) has increased over the past decade (Green et al., 1995; Sclove, 1997). Research partnerships between university academics and community-based individuals and organizations have spread. Such partnerships are said to generate new knowledge, empower community members, build common ground, stimulate collective action and solve complex problems. Yet the qualities of these "partnerships" vary, and research on the process and outcomes of these forms of research is limited (El Ansari, Phillips, & Hammick, 2001). This paper aims to bring attention to the opportunities and pitfalls associated with CBR. We are particularly interested here in the tensions that arise when university academics engage in CBR projects. To this end, we draw on our experience as academic partners in a recent two-year CBR project aimed at stimulating research by, and collective action to improve the situation of, Ontario injured workers.