Research by the people, for the people

Most research is carried out on behalf of private enterprise, the military, national governments, or in pursuit of the scientific community's intellectual interests. The result is that research agendas often favour elite groups helping them to maintain positions of privilege. Taxpayers and consumers experience the consequences and also foot the bill. Little research is conducted directly on behalf of citizens or communities. This article describes an alternative, more democratic approach. ‘Community-based research’ is rooted in the community, serves a community's interest, and frequently encourages citizen participation at all levels.