43 Methods for engaging vulnerable and marginalized children through community based participatory research: A scoping review

Abstract Background Community-based participatory research (CBPR) involves meaningful partnerships between researchers and community members. Effective CBPR practices create trust and enhance culture-centeredness of research. There are wide variations in how researchers have characterized CBPR and there is a literature gap in best practices for effectively engaging marginalized children in participatory research. It is critical that CBPR is not merely another method that primarily engages the privileged. Objectives To examine studies where researchers have used CBPR to engage vulnerable and marginalized paediatric populations, with the aim of understanding the specific methodologies utilized and determine best practices for CBPR with these populations. Design/Methods We conducted a scoping review using methods described by Arksey and O'Malley, and used PRISMA extension guidelines for scoping reviews in our process and reportings. We conducted a literature search, including grey literature, with the support of a librarian. Two team members reviewed each article during the title and abstract and full text screenings with conflicts resolved through group consensus discussions. We included English-language articles involving marginalized paediatric populations that thoroughly described their methods and focused on health. We collected information on study demographics, methodologies, and outcomes and used descriptive analysis and statistics, as well as thematic synthesis to explore patterns. Results The initial literature search identified 6240 studies, from which 44 articles met inclusion criteria for a full-text review. The articles primarily identified racial and ethnic minorities as vulnerable and marginalized populations to focus on. Few articles strategically considered an intersectional approach to defining the population of interest or in identifying the optimal method for engagement. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States and had been published in the last 20 years. The most commonly used methods of engagement included community partnerships, focus groups, interviews, advisory boards, and electronic participatory methods with little consistency in how these methods were employed and defined. There was a lack of evaluation data on the effectiveness of CBPR methods employed. Significant challenges and barriers to CBPR with marginalized populations were identified including difficulty building trusting relationships and financial and time limitations. Conclusion Our scoping review found gaps and lack of standardization in CBPR methods engaging marginalized paediatric populations. This can inform future research efforts and help to establish an evidenced-based framework for effective engagement for empowering and actively involving marginalized paediatric communities in CBPR.