Practice-Based Research: CBPR as a Vehicle for Social Change

1. Dr. Obumneke Amadi
Practice-BasedResearch:CBPR as a Vehicle for SocialChange
Participatory Action Research
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a term also referred to as
participatory action research is described as a systemic investigation that includes the
collaboration of the people being studied for a particular problem for the reason of training and
taking action for a social change(Minkler, & Wallerstein, 2008, p.336). However, it is regarded
as a means of making people involved in the problem to take control of research process so they
can transform their lives by themselves. The approach is also identified as appealing to
institutions politics like labor unions that are used in influencing workplace policies & practice
(Minkler, & Wallerstein, 2008, p.336).
The Case Study Description
The case study: Participatory Action Research With Hotel Room Cleaners in San
Francisco and Las Vegas: From Collaborative Study to the Bargaining Table. The case study
grew out of concerns by about the high rates of injuries and disability experienced by low-wage
hotel service workers in San Francisco and other large tourist workers for the purpose of
addressing their working conditions. In order to initiate a research, the hotel labor union
“UNITE HERE” organized partners to get involved in a participatory research effort to examine
the problem. The Initial partners and research collaborators include Berkeley’s School of Public
Health, the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), hotel room cleaners and others.
However, a CBPR approach was used by the investigators by following its guidelines to collect
proper data which was used in collaboration with the organizations, the people and the work
union to implement policies that brought about social change for the deprived and marginalized
employees (Minkler, & Wallerstein, 2008, p.336, Chang, 2010).
Critique of CBPR Approach in Pushing Forward Policy Social Change in the Case Study
CBPR approach was very consistent and reliable towards pushing forward policy to
create a social change in the case study because, the approach facilitated the research process by
identifying all potential collaborators and partners who are knowledgeable about the problem and
the research process. The researchers applied CBPR approach by gathering the necessary

2. resources such as donated funds towards the project through it completion, trainings for
collaborators involved in the project, contracting university LOHP to look at organization work
load, health, and employee – employer relationship, moreover, the LOHP are recognized for
their work at policy level to progress prevention strategies and has strong record of collaboration
in CBPR. Other CBPR steps that include, defining the problem, planning and designing the
research, elements and data selection, data analysis, and result dissemination were all
implemented appropriately to guide policy creation. The translation of study data to implement
action for change was deliberated further by engaging a focus group and survey results from core
group members and study participants who attended union meetings and presented their finding
and personal experiences at the bargain table for a vote to influence the desired positive changes
in the hotel policy (Minkler, & Wallerstein, 2008).
In summary, CBPR is an opportunity to have a real voice in decision making regarding
the problems affecting people, which is a good mechanism for addressing some of the social
inequalities, and health disparity affecting employees at all levels in their work organizations.
Reference
Chang, C. Y (2010). Evaluation and Adaptations of a Community-Based Participatory Research
Partnership in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Retrieved from
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0wk9x7nq#page-13
Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2008). Community-based participatory research for
health: From process to outcomes (2nd ed.).