General Characteristics

• A network of community partners and higher education teachers and students engaged in a process that is mutually beneficial.
• Community partners lack capacity or resources to conduct research on their own.
• The research process is driven by the community and informed by local knowledge.
• The focus of the research is community action and increased community engagement of higher education. The goal is to build community capacity.
• All participants are equally valued and transformed by the research partnership.
• Partners use the research results in a variety of ways, including reports and articles, workshops, community forums, and organizing.

• All partners participate as teachers and learners
• Partners respect each other's knowledge and expertise
• Accountability is mutual
• Shared ownership and dissemination of results
• Commitment to democratic process and participation
• Community partners are representative and inclusive
• Campus partners commit to respect and participate in the community

Research Process Characteristics