Trustworthiness and Research Reciprocity (CEACR)
Trustworthiness and research reciprocity are essential ingredients for successful, community-based participatory research, which is a collaborative method involving community members, scientists, practitioners, administrators, organizational leaders, and others in all aspects of the research process. The fair treatment of community collaborators as members of the research team strengthens and supports the research design to promote a greater and more relevant impact on communities.
Acknowledgment and compensation in research studies can take many forms, including direct compensation, knowledge sharing such as budget review or grant training, and even simply connecting individuals to other relevant leaders and organizations. By acknowledging community partners with relevant resources, the research process can shift from work being done on communities to being done with communities.
Key Questions for Consideration
- What is research reciprocity?
- How does trust relate to research reciprocity?
- How can we conceptualize and operationalize these terms?
Key Recommendations
- Foster Trust
- Trust is essential to economic and social transactions that require individuals to behave in cooperative and reciprocal ways.
- Begin building trust by informing, consulting, and including community members in the research process.
- Use Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches
- Integrating community collaborators as members of the research team strengthens and supports research designed for a direct and positive impact.
- Respect participant time and communicate their involvement.
- Return results of study to both participants and leaders.
- Consider potential disruptions in payment processes (for example, holidays, summer vacations, academic calendars). Communicate these disruptions or other options to maintain trust.
- Promote Research That Is Beneficial for Everyone, and Work to Meet Their Needs
- Being altruistic and participating in research are intertwined; altruism requires that all other basic needs are met.
- Work with trusted messengers and leaders to engage with community members to understand their needs and ways to give back to the community.
- Develop Long-Standing Relationships With Champions, Elected Officials, Neighborhood Associations, Libraries, Churches, and Local Clinics
- Consider creating a community board or committee and hosting regular meetings to develop a meaningful rapport, even beyond the research study.
- Go to local fairs or other areas to speak and give back to the people (for example, sponsor a community event, offer to provide resources or educational materials, invite community members to upcoming events).
Additional Resources
For more information on this topic, you may find the following resources helpful.
- Stakeholder Perspectives on Creating and Maintaining Trust in Community-Academic Research Partnerships*
An academic article by Frerichs et al. explores ways to conceptualize factors that promote trust in research partnerships. - AAMC Center for Health Justice: The Principals of Trustworthiness*
10 Principles of Trustworthiness that integrate local perspectives with established precepts of community engagement to guide health care, public health, and other organizations as they work to build trust. - NIH Science, Health, and Public Trust Toolkits
A set of toolkits that includes strategies and best practices to build public trust and understanding of biomedical research and its role in improving health and well-being for all. - Time to Rebuild: Essays on Trust in Health Care and Science*
A special issue by the Hastings Center Report for public health officials, physicians, and scientists seeking to build trust with patients and the public.
CEACR Resource Toolkits
CEACR resource toolkits were developed using expert insights and direct feedback from community leaders. CEACR supports NIH-funded research teams seeking to apply principles of community engagement to encourage research participation, with a specific emphasis on those traditionally underrepresented in research.
Requests for CEACR services can be made at https://redcap.link/consultrequest*
Last updated: March 19, 2025