Increasing research literacy: the community research fellows training program

J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2015 Feb;10(1):3-12. doi: 10.1177/1556264614561959. Epub 2014 Dec 10.

Abstract

The Community Research Fellows Training (CRFT) Program promotes the role of underserved populations in research by enhancing the capacity for community-based participatory research (CBPR). CRFT consists of 12 didactic training sessions and 3 experiential workshops intended to train community members in research methods and evidence-based public health. The training (a) promotes partnerships between community members and academic researchers, (b) enhances community knowledge of public health research, and (c) trains community members to become critical consumers of research. Fifty community members participated in training sessions taught by multidisciplinary faculty. Forty-five (90%) participants completed the program. Findings demonstrate that the training increased awareness of health disparities, research knowledge, and the capacity to use CBPR as a tool to address disparities.

Keywords: academic–community partnership; community-based participatory research; evidence-based public health; health disparities; public health training; research literacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Capacity Building*
  • Community-Based Participatory Research*
  • Community-Institutional Relations*
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Education, Nonprofessional*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Literacy
  • Public Health*
  • Research Design
  • Research Personnel*
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Vulnerable Populations