Community-Engaged Research
Community-engaged research involves a collaborative approach that actively includes community members in the process of designing and participating in studies.
Resources for community-engaged research
Oversight for community-engaged research
The Institutional Review Board oversees community-engaged research to ensure that studies adhere to federal regulations by protecting participant rights and welfare throughout the research protocol.
The IRB reviews community-engaged research to ensure that the study selects participants fairly and that community research partners have appropriate education and share a role in the research process. The process involves evaluating how researchers plan to communicate research results with the community and to appropriately include and recognize the contributions of community research partners. The IRB must confirm that risks are minimized in relationship to the anticipated benefits of the project, that recruitment procedures encourage responsible selection, and that informed consent is appropriately obtained.
One significant challenge for researchers conducting community-engaged research is balancing the need for studies to meet rigorous scientific methodological standards while being flexible enough to address real-world issues identified by the community.
Community-engaged research promotes a partnership in which all parties feel that their contributions are valued. By fostering transparency and ongoing dialogue between researchers and community members, the IRB ensures that community-engaged research not only advances academic knowledge but also has a meaningful impact on societal well-being.
Developing and implementing best practices
The IRB has partnered with UT researchers and community partners on an IRB and Engaged Research Task Force, which works to identify areas of need and create action plans to improve how UT researchers conduct and review community-engaged research. The task force has developed a guidance document on best practices for community-engaged research. Community partners considering working with academic researchers are encouraged to review and use this resource.
Guidance on the IRB process and applications
Community partners are encouraged to work closely with their UT research partners and the IRB when submitting materials for IRB review.
In preparing to submit a request to conduct community-engaged research, investigators should have a detailed protocol that includes a written description of the research process and procedures (project application), informed consent forms, recruitment materials, and data collection instruments. Throughout the IRB review process, it is imperative that investigators supply the IRB with context related to the community, especially when describing characteristics that may differentiate the community participant population from a broader study population.
Including community partners and external investigators on applications
The IRB requires external investigators to be listed on the application when they are engaged in or responsible for the following elements:
- Collecting data
- Obtaining informed consent
- Analyzing identifiable data
- Answering questions about the research for potential, current, or past participants (or otherwise acting as an extension of the UT-affiliated primary investigator)
The IRB requires community-engaged research partners to be covered by an individual investigator agreement and to complete training on human participants in research. Investigators should plan on making arrangements for this training in advance so they can document its completion in their application for IRB approval.
IRB-accepted training for community-engaged research partners
The IRB will consider a variety of training options for community-engaged research partners, including:
Industry-developed training, including CITI
More information about CITI training can be found here.
Center for Clinical and Translational Science Community Involvement in Research Training
CIRTification is a training program specifically designed to support the needs of community research partners and provides a thorough overview of the process and requirements. More information about access to CIRTification is available here.
Training developed by the investigator
If investigators create their own training for community partners, the IRB must review and approve the specific training. Documentation of investigator-developed training can be provided to the IRB.
Learn more
For more information about community-engaged research at UT, contact the IRB at [email protected].