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TAKING OCAP PRINCIPLES FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: THE FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PROJECT RELATED TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL COMPETENCE FOR HIV/AIDS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
D Epale1, C Loppie2, J George3, K Barlow1, M Akan4, R Jackson1, R Masching5
¹Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN), Ottawa, Ontario; 2Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 3Kettle and Stony Point Health Centre, Kettle Point, Ontario; 4All Nations Hope AIDS Network, Regina, Saskatchewan; 5Healing Our Nations-Atlantic First Nations AIDS Network, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Objectives: The objective of this project was to use participatory action research (PAR) principles to develop a research proposal around Aboriginal cultural competence in the context of HIV/AIDS and health care providers. The research 'problem' originated from the results of an environmental scan conducted by the community (Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, 2001). The following principles of PAR and of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) were utilized: the community had control of the process, participants systematically and collaboratively discussed and agreed on the research process, partnership between academics and the community existed, and there was continuous interaction between participants (Morse 1998:286; 2002:54).
Methods: Consistent with the above principles, the research team comprising five community members and one academic, collaborated on decision making, analyses, mutual learning and collective theorizing to complete the research design. This was done through various forms of electronic and tele-communication as well as a face-to-face meeting.
Results: By relying on PAR principles, the research team was able to address an issue raised by the community, review literature, formulate research questions, establish a methodology and justify a budget, all of which resulted in the submission of a research proposal. Pending its acceptance, it is anticipated that research team members will further enhance their research skills by continuing to play an active role on the team.
Conclusion: This exercise in participatory action research provides an example of how the community and academics can work together to design research around a topic identified by the community. It also provides examples of how to collaborate on research questions and design a methodology that is acceptable to all. Lessons were learnt around how to negotiate amongst community and academics to ensure that ideas are deliberated on before being accepted to ensure that they are culturally appropriate and methodologically sound.