- Collaboration is established before projects begin.
- Communities identify the research topics.
- Communities are involved in the research from the beginning.
- Formal processes and structures link community and researchers.
- Researchers and funders include communities’ views and concerns.
- Community assets are recognized, not just risks and deficits.
- Researchers and community organizations share funding appropriately.
- Resources are dedicated to sustaining the collaboration itself.
- Researchers and community groups are honest about goals and agendas, limitations and constraints.
- Research findings are shared with the community before or at publication.
- There is follow-through to disseminate results and sustain the project after the grant ends.
- Mutual trust and respect is built.
[This article was published as a sidebar to Town and Gown, an article on participatory research.]
