Methods
Step Up to Art uses a Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) approach with the pragmatic goal of increasing access for residents of neighborhoods. This method builds upon extensive community-engaged scholarship and research that show what works, that acknowledge the complexities, and that evaluate appropriately (Wolff, Principle 5). We are employing a predominantly qualitative design with multiple measures to address the research questions and programmatic goals. A CBPAR approach employs a transformative lens (Crotty, 1998; Sweetman et al., 2010) to understanding phenomena by integrating disciplines through engaging and meaningful experiences because of their inherent value. We see a community not only as a geographic entity, but a living, breathing, social network (Friedman, 2020). The CBPAR approach directly engages the community throughout the research, design and implementation process and supports strategic action that empowers and transforms the community (Burns et al., 2011). It employs a community development approach in which residents have equal power in determining the collaborative’s agenda and resource allocation. (Wolff, 2016).
References:
· Burns, J., Cooke, D., & Schweidler, C. (2011). A short guide to community based participatory action research. Advancement Project-Healthy City. Available online: www. advancementprojectca. org (accessed on 17 October 2018).
· Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. Sage Publications.
· Friedman, B. (2020). Community-based participatory action research: It’s all about the community. Cognella Incorporated.
· Sweetman, D., Badiee, M., & Creswell, J. W. (2010). Use of the transformative framework in mixed methods studies. Qualitative inquiry, 16(6), 441-454. · Trust for Public Land. (2020). https://www.tpl.org/city/cincinnati-ohio. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
· Wolff, Tom, Meredith Minkler, Susan M. Wolfe, Bill Berkowitz, Linda Bowen, Frances Dunn Butterfoss, Brian D. Christens, Vincent T. Francisco, Arthur T. Himmelman, Kien S. Lee, Collaborating for Equity and Justice: Moving Beyond Collective Impact. Nonprofit Quarterly, Winter 2016, 42-53.
