Working Together

Research is improved when victim researchers and practitioners—including service providers—work together.

Providers benefit from expert guidance and resources during the research process, while researchers benefit from a clearer understanding of context, survivor needs, and program goals.

Research can also benefit from including community members throughout the process. Community engaged methods can range from enlisting providers or other practitioners and interest holders as advisors to developing and carrying out a study with practitioners and/or survivors as part of the research team. Participatory action research (PAR) is a form of community engaged research that emphasizes the inclusion of those most impacted by the research throughout all phases of the project with the goal of meaningful action.

Successful research and practice collaborations take time, effort, and resources to develop, but collaborations can also lead to research findings directly applicable to policy and practice. CVR offers quick reference guides and tips on researcher-practitioner collaborations and PAR to help you get started. We also link to additional resources and trainings below.  Lastly, if you are a practitioner looking for a research partner, check out the CVR Researcher Directory.

CVR Guides and Quick References

CVR offers 10 helpful tips for Building Successful Victim Researcher and Practitioner Collaborations. Meaningful partnerships require both researchers and practitioners to think carefully about developing trust and respect, ensuring a shared understanding of the project goals, and investing the necessary time and resources.

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Finding a Research Partner for Victim Researcher-Practitioner Collaborations, a CVR Quick Reference, helps victim service providers identify potential research partners, ask questions to determine the right fit, and set a foundation for a successful collaboration.

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CVR’s Quick Reference, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Victim Researcher-Practitioner Collaborations, sets out the benefits of entering an MOU and the key elements to consider.

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Data-Sharing Agreements, a CVR Quick Reference, explains their use by victim service providers and researchers and sets out points to consider in drafting. It also includes a sample agreement.

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Trainings

Building Partnerships: Victim Researcher and Practitioner Collaborations, a CVR webinar with Christine Murray, PhD, LPC, LFMT, presents the benefits and challenges of researcher-practitioner partnerships.

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Tribal Research Initiatives in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: Engaging Tribal Leadership and Community Stakeholders, a CVR webinar by presenters Ada Pecos Melton, MPA, Rita Y. Martinez, BA, and DeeJay Chino, MPA, of American Indian Development Associates. Presenters discuss the unique challenges of designing culturally informed research in tribal communities and Alaska Native villages and present strategies for initiating active and meaningful involvement by tribal leaders, communities, and citizens.

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Additional Resources

Participatory Action Research: Involving “All the Players” in Evaluation and Change, 2007, The Foundation Center GrantCraft Service. This guide includes a number of useful materials relating to participatory action research, including answers to common questions and mini-case studies that involve the communities or end users of the research.

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Power Through Partnerships: A CBPR Toolkit for Domestic Violence Research Centers, 2017, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. This toolkit is designed to guide and support researchers considering a community-based participatory research (CPBR) approach. It is also useful for domestic violence and other advocates who would like more information about CPBR..

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The Community Engagement Resource Center (CERC) at the Urban Institute offers a range of resources to promote community engagement and participatory methods. These include toolkits, guides, and an infographic on the community-engagement theory of change.

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Video interview with Carol Jordan, founding executive director of the University of Kentucky Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women, on the importance of researchers and practitioners working together. It includes examples of strategies from her experience.

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Career Strategies for Victim Researchers in Academic Settings, a CVR Quick Reference, provides tips for navigating a successful path involving victim-related community-engaged research.

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