"We're already doing this work": ethical research with community-based organizations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Research Ethics
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Public health research ethics historically protect individuals, not partner organizations.
• Community-based organizations (CBOs) serving vulnerable populations need ethical guidelines.
• Research practices must avoid perpetuating systemic oppressions that create health inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore expanding public health research ethics to include partnerships with CBOs.
• To understand ethical considerations for academic-CBO collaborations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews with 39 CBO staff and 11 academic researchers.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts using emergent and a priori codes.
• Informed by the Belmont Report principles.

Main Results:

• Traditional ethics (respect, beneficence, justice) are a starting point for CBO collaborations.
• Expanded concepts include relationship ethics, care, and solidarity.
• Ethical application differs for organizations versus individual subjects.

Conclusions:

• Successful academic-CBO partnerships require centering mutual respect and cultural humility.
• Academic institutions and oversight bodies must support ethically grounded relationships.
• Enhanced ethical frameworks are crucial for equitable community-engaged research.