Community Based Participatory Research
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative approach to research that encourages equal representation of community members and researchers in all aspects of research -- from conception to conduct to communication of results. CBPR is an effective method for community members and researchers to combine knowledge to improve community health.
Learn more about CBPR here: http://obssr.od.nih.gov/scientific_areas/methodology/community_based_participatory_research/
In Woburn, the citizens group FACE (For a Cleaner Environment) was one of the earliest examples of the concept of CBPR. This group was comprised of many parents of sick children, as well as other concerned citizens, and included the Reverend Bruce Young and Anne Anderson. FACE was instrumental in the initiation of early health studies in Woburn, after they approached researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. FACE was also involved in the remediation of Wells G and H.
As demonstrated by the involvement of FACE in the Woburn story, CBPR has an important place in environmental health research. Several journals are dedicated to this method:
https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/progress_in_community_health_partnerships/
http://participatoryresearch.web.unc.edu/journals-for-participatory-research/
There is also a CBPR listserv if you'd like to learn more about CBPR: