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Research Articles

Vol. 23 No. 2

Community-Based Participatory Research as a Tool for Improved Understanding and Practice of Newcomer Integration

Submitted
October 8, 2019
Published
2019-10-08

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is used as a community-engaged research practice because of its inclusion of community perspectives. The participatory approach enhances validity of community-engaged research, facilitates effective work with communities, and acknowledges accurate understanding of community characteristics. We sought to understand CBPR within the field of immigrant integration. For this study, we conducted three focus groups with immigration researchers and practitioners at two international conferences held in the United States in 2016. These venues were selected for their inclusion of both practitioners and researchers interested in or actively working on immigrant integration policies and practices. They also provided a sample inclusive of researchers from academic, public, nonprofit, and private institutions and practitioners from nonprofit and public sectors. The findings yielded information on challenges, opportunities, and best practices for university–community partnerships to utilize CBPR in improving immigrant integration.