Integrated Methods for Applying Critical Race Theory to Qualitative COVID-19 Equity Research

Bita Amani; Alejandra Cabral; Mienah Z Sharif; James Huỳnh; Kia Skrine Jeffers; Shelby A Baptista; Breann McAndrew; Natalie J Bradford; Patanjali de la Rocha; Chandra L Ford

doi:10.18865/ed.32.3.243

Integrated Methods for Applying Critical Race Theory to Qualitative COVID-19 Equity Research

Ethn Dis. 2022 Jul 21;32(3):243-256. doi: 10.18865/ed.32.3.243. eCollection 2022 Summer.

Authors

Bita Amani^{1

2}, Alejandra Cabral^{2

3}, Mienah Z Sharif^{2

4}, James Huỳnh^{2

3}, Kia Skrine Jeffers^{2

5}, Shelby A Baptista¹, Breann McAndrew¹, Natalie J Bradford^{2

6}, Patanjali de la Rocha^{2

7}, Chandra L Ford^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA.
² COVID-19 Task Force on Racism & Equity, Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice, and Health, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA.
³ Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA.
⁴ Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, School of Public Health, Seattle, WA.
⁵ School of Nursing, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
⁶ Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA.
⁷ Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Abstract

Background: Racism persists, underscoring the need to rapidly document the perspectives and experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) groups as well as marginalized populations (eg, formerly incarcerated people) during pandemics.

Objective: This methods paper offers a model for using Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) and related critical methodologies (ie, feminist and decolonizing methods) to inform the conceptualization, methods, and dissemination of qualitative research undertaken in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Sample: Using purposive snowball sampling, we identified organizations involved with health equity and social justice advocacy among BIPOC and socially marginalized populations. Focus group participants (N=63) included community members, organizers, activists, and health workers.

Design: We conducted topic-specific (eg, reproductive justice) and population-specific (eg, Asian and Pacific Islander) focus groups (N=16 focus groups) in rapid succession using Zoom software.

Methods: A self-reflexive, iterative praxis guided theorization, data collection and analysis. We obtained community input on study design, the semi-structured discussion guide, ethical considerations and dissemination. Applying PHCRP, we assessed our assumptions iteratively. We transcribed each interview verbatim, de-identified the data, then used two distinct qualitative techniques to code and analyze them: thematic analysis to identify unifying concepts that recur across focus groups and narrative analysis to keep each participant's story intact.

Results: The praxis facilitated relationship-building with partners and supported the iterative assessment of assumptions. Logistical constraints included difficulty ensuring the confidentiality of virtual discussions.

Conclusions: These novel approaches provide an effective model for community-engaged qualitative research during a pandemic.

Keywords: Critical Race Theory; Health Equity; Qualitative Research; Racism; Social Injustice.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Health Equity*
Humans
Pandemics
Public Health / methods
Qualitative Research
Racism*

Grants and funding

S21 MD000103/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States