Tools and analytic techniques to synthesise community knowledge in CBPR using computer-mediated participatory system...

Area of Science:

• Community-based participatory research
• Systems thinking and complexity
• Public health and prevention

Background:

• Participatory systems thinking methods enhance engagement with complex issues in community-based research.
• Insights gained from systems thinking activities predict success in community-based prevention initiatives.
• There is a need for methods that extend the benefits of participation into communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the STICKE (System Thinking In Community Knowledge Exchange) online platform for participatory system modeling.
• To evaluate methods for collating and analyzing outputs from computer-mediated system modeling.
• To assess the utility of generated causal diagrams and summary models for community insights.

Main Methods:

• A group of community members participated in an online, computer-mediated system modeling exercise using STICKE.
• Causal diagrams generated by participants were merged and analyzed using network analysis and DEMATEL.
• A summary model was created to communicate collective insights from the participant group.

Main Results:

• Participants successfully used STICKE to create causal diagrams online.
• The DEMATEL method was preferred by participants for synthesizing individual diagrams into a coherent summary.
• The developed protocol for combining and summarizing causal diagrams was perceived as useful by the participants.

Conclusions:

• STICKE is an accessible tool facilitating online causal diagram creation for community members.
• The study provides a protocol for summarizing participatory system modeling outputs, supporting community understanding of complex problems.
• This approach aids in developing locally owned, sustainable, and effective prevention strategies by understanding community perceptions of health challenges.