Participatory action research: considerations for ethical review

Area of Science:

• Community and Public Health
• Health Promotion Research
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Participatory action research (PAR) is increasingly utilized in community and public health to address health disparities.
• Ethical review for PAR requires specific considerations beyond traditional clinical research.
• Understanding these ethical nuances is crucial for both PAR practitioners and Research Ethics Boards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical considerations unique to participatory action research (PAR).
• To compare PAR's ethical challenges with standard clinical research requirements.
• To provide practical suggestions for Research Ethics Boards reviewing PAR studies.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of ethical concerns within the framework of established clinical research principles.
• Reference to specific guidelines for participatory health promotion research.
• Illustrative examples from community-based mental health promotion research with diverse youth.

Main Results:

• PAR presents distinct ethical advantages and challenges compared to traditional research.
• Common ethical requirements for clinical research need adaptation for PAR.
• Community-based PAR with diverse youth highlights specific ethical complexities.

Conclusions:

• PAR necessitates tailored ethical review processes.
• Enhanced understanding between PAR researchers and Research Ethics Boards is vital.
• Process suggestions are offered to improve ethical review for PAR in community health.