The Oregon Migrant Farmworker Community: An Evolving Model for Participatory Research
Author: McCauley, Linda A.; Lasarev, Michael R.; Beltran, Marco;
Date Published: 2001
Migrant farmworker communities present distinct challenges that require new approaches for community participation in research. In the State of Oregon and agency that advocates for the migrant farmworker community has collaborated successfully with university researchers to implement a research program directed to reducing pesticide exposures among the children of migrant farmworker. The research process has included both qualitative research methods with members of the community and quantitative approaches to measure pesticide dust residues in homes, biomarkers of pesticide exposure, and effects on health. A committee of university and community stakeholders advises the research. Evaluative processes have been initiated to assess the effectiveness of the participatory model used in this project. The components of the preliminary process evaluation and results are presented. Evaluative data show that researchers and community members differ on perceptions of community involvement and the extent to which communication problems have been resolved between two groups. Suggestions for improved community involvement and communication are given.
Date Published: 2001
Migrant farmworker communities present distinct challenges that require new approaches for community participation in research. In the State of Oregon and agency that advocates for the migrant farmworker community has collaborated successfully with university researchers to implement a research program directed to reducing pesticide exposures among the children of migrant farmworker. The research process has included both qualitative research methods with members of the community and quantitative approaches to measure pesticide dust residues in homes, biomarkers of pesticide exposure, and effects on health. A committee of university and community stakeholders advises the research. Evaluative processes have been initiated to assess the effectiveness of the participatory model used in this project. The components of the preliminary process evaluation and results are presented. Evaluative data show that researchers and community members differ on perceptions of community involvement and the extent to which communication problems have been resolved between two groups. Suggestions for improved community involvement and communication are given.
