Contribution of participatory action research to knowledge mobilization in mental health services for children and families

Abstract

Problems with knowledge mobilization (KMb) (also known as knowledge translation and implementation science) among providers of children and youth services may be addressed by looking to models of participatory action research (PAR) that are already

Wissensmobilisierung und Transfer in der Fluchtforschung

“…Integrated knowledge mobilization may be particularly important when undertaking KMb in the community sector, where access to and sharing of promising practices is challenging amongst service providers and community-based non-profit organizations (NPOs). NPOs in Canada have not consistently been part of knowledge translation initiatives and face internal and external barriers, such as lack of capacity and networks, to identify and share what works (Leadbeater, 2010;Mitchell, 2011;Ungar et al, 2015). The next section describes two projects in Nova Scotia, Canada that use integrated knowledge mobilization approaches.…”

Disrupting professional practices with research-driven intervention. Researcher–gatekeeper negotiations in the context of targeted youth services

“…There is also a concern that the research process may disturb the delicate and trust-based relationships that exist between professionals and the young people who enroll in youth programs (Aaltonen, 2017), or confirm the existing mistrust between gatekeepers and research participants who are part of a closed and authoritarian institution, such as a residential youth care program (Honkatukia et al, 2003). Finally, research can be viewed as having little value in the day-to-day work that youth programs administer (Ungar et al, 2015). These viewpoints are justifiable and should be shared with researchers so that they may rethink their research and its implications for both gatekeepers and its participants.…”

“…Furthermore, the research will endeavor not only to produce, but to some extent mobilize knowledge (Ungar et al, 2015). As its goal is to develop professional practices by exploring the potential of technology and peer support, the study will aim to invent new ways of bringing the knowledge bases of different stakeholders together.…”

Research co-production and knowledge mobilisation in policing

“…Research is more likely to effect change if it is owned by the very people who have a capacity to effect change. Coproduction, like models of participatory action research, can help overcome problems of knowledge mobilisation and deliverability, especially in contexts where there are high levels of mistrust of traditional sources of expertise -like policing and mental health services (Ungar et al, 2015). A key success of the ESRC project, according to one police focus group respondent, was felt to be that it 'provided an open platform for honest conversations'.…”