Knowledge profiling as emergent theory in community-based participatory research

• Published in: Progress in community health partnerships Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 73
• Main Authors: Edwards, Karen E, Gibson, Nancy L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2008
• Subjects: Birthing Centers; Community Participation; Community-Based Participatory Research - methods; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Midwifery; Pregnancy; Research Design
• ISSN: 1557-0541
• DOI: 10.1353/cpr.2008.0001

Many sources of valid knowledge may be relevant to a research question. Communities need a mechanism to explore the full range of knowledge that could enrich community-based research. A knowledge profile (KP) is an integrated description of the knowledge and expertise that, once assembled, can help to explore a research issue.
This article describes the establishment of a KP as a purposive process whereby the initial research team identifies the kinds of knowledge that can help to articulate and refine a research question, and assemble the right research team and resources.
The KP process is conducted by a core team, which may expand to include additional expertise. The four phases of a KP are (1) creating the research space, (2) articulating and negotiating, (3) identifying the research question, and (4) creating the resource inventory. The process is illustrated by a case study. The outcomes of a successful KP include an inventory of existing and required resources, a strong research team operating in an ethical and safe research space, and clear articulation of the research question. The KP can be revisited regularly throughout a project to evaluate the effectiveness of the research team.
KP provides a road map for community-based research teams to navigate through the early phase of research development.