A Practical Guide to Getting Started With Community-Engaged Research - Research Stages
Five Stages of Community-Engaged Research
CEnR is a journey through five interconnected stages: Partner, Plan, Implement, Analyze, and Share. These stages guide the research process throughout CEnR, from building strong relationships and setting clear objectives to producing actionable findings and sharing them effectively with stakeholders.
Unlike traditional research processes, the stages of CEnR are not linear. They evolve dynamically, adapting to shifting priorities, emerging insights, and the evolving nature of partnerships. Actions taken at each stage depend on the level of community and researcher involvement, which can range from Informed to Empowered, as represented on the community-researcher partnership spectrum. Below, we describe the stages broadly to provide flexibility for a range of projects. The specifics of each stage vary depending on the project context and the roles of those involved.
Defining the 5 Stages of Community-Engaged Research
Five Stages of Community-Engaged Research
1. Partner
Strong partnerships are foundational to CEnR and set the tone for all other stages. Partnerships require consistent attention and effort to maintain trust and shared understanding throughout the project.
In practice:
- Build trust through open communication and transparency.
- Establish roles and expectations while remaining flexible to adaptations as the project evolves.
- Develop shared goals and create opportunities for meaningful contributions from all parties.
- Assess resources to identify opportunities and potential challenges.
- Regularly evaluate the partnership to ensure that it aligns with and supports the needs of all involved.
Insight for the Partner Stage
Partnerships are dynamic and can shift along the community-researcher partnership spectrum over time, moving from Informed to Empowered approaches. To remain flexible, regularly check in with partners about their desired level of engagement and decision making. Create spaces for open dialogue to address any shifts in priorities, capacities, or expectations. This ongoing communication will ensure that the partnership adapts to evolving needs and maintains alignment with shared goals.
2. Plan
The planning stage transforms shared priorities into a structured roadmap for the research. Effective planning reflects the needs and goals of all involved and outlines both the structure and methods of the research.
In practice:
- Develop research questions and methods that address both the project’s goals and the context of the community.
- Ensure that tools and approaches are relevant and accessible.
- Seek approvals for the research design.
- Address any ethical considerations, including data ownership and confidentiality.
Insight for the Plan Stage
Navigating approval processes, such as those required by funders or institutional review boards (IRBs), can present significant challenges in the plan stage. These processes are often designed around traditional research models, which may not always account for the flexibility and shared decision making that are central to community-engaged approaches. To address these challenges, build extra time into the timeline for approvals, clearly articulate the value of community involvement, and advocate for processes that accommodate collaborative methods. Proactively engage with funders and IRBs to address potential concerns and ensure that the research design remains both rigorous and responsive to community priorities.
3. Implement
Implementation is the stage at which research activities take place. This stage involves flexibility and problem-solving to manage logistical challenges and ensure progress.
In practice:
- Collect data using methods that reflect participants’ needs and preferences.
- Monitor progress regularly and address challenges as they arise.
- Maintain clear communication and ethical practices throughout.
Insight for the Implement Stage
Maintaining community partner engagement during the later stages of the research process is essential for sustaining the partnership and ensuring meaningful outcomes. During implementation, keep partners informed and actively involved in problem-solving to strengthen their connection to the work. You can achieve this via collaboration by jointly selecting data collection sites in the community, brainstorming and implementing recruitment strategies, or working together to collect data. Collaboration during this stage can range from receiving data collection updates from researchers to playing a key role in data collection activities, so make sure to communicate honestly about the tasks and time commitment.
4. Analyze
In the analysis stage, data are reviewed and interpreted to draw conclusions. Involving a range of perspectives in this process can enhance the relevance and usefulness of findings.
In practice:
- Use appropriate methods to analyze data and connect it to the goals of the project.
- Validate findings by discussing them with partners to ensure they reflect the intended context.
Insight for the Analyze Stage
Invite partners to contribute their perspectives to interpreting findings, linking results to real-world contexts, and shaping actionable conclusions. Community member involvement during analysis may include meaning-making sessions, data walks, or running data analyses. If community members are interested in conducting more technical analyses, build in extra time and money to support analyses training and software onboarding. Regardless of the level of engagement, such sustained engagement fosters trust, relevance, and shared ownership of research outcomes.
5. Share
Sharing knowledge is the final step, in which research partnerships communicate findings to relevant audiences in ways that foster understanding and inspire action. The goal is to make the information accessible and meaningful.
In practice:
- Tailor materials and presentations to the needs of different audiences, including visual or narrative formats.
- Discuss how findings can inform programs, practices, or policies.
- Reflect on outcomes and explore ways to continue building on the work.
Insight for the Share Stage
Sharing knowledge is about bridging the gap between research and practice. Effective communication draws on principles from communication science and knowledge translation, emphasizing clarity, relevance, and audience engagement. Use storytelling, visuals, and tailored messaging to make findings accessible. Collaborate with partners to review or codevelop materials and identify practical pathways for applying the knowledge, whether through policies, programs, or community initiatives. Prioritize iterative feedback on materials to refine messages and ensure they resonate with different audiences.