Abstract:
The main aim of the Community Assessment Project (CAP), which arose out of the above
mentioned partnership, was to conduct a community assessment of Railton (within Swellendam)
to assist the local community and the Railton Foundation to identify priority areas for community
development. This was pursued through a mapping of community assets (including strengths and
resources) and a priority needs assessment process. This research was conducted within a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Approach. CBPR is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in
the research process and recognises the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a
research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action
for social change to improve the community. The first main section of this Report discusses the CBPR approach, and how ethical issues
relating to conducting community research were addressed in the CAP research. This is followed by a detailed outlined of the 10 phases of the research design. The research training process is
then discussed in some detail. The research participants are identified, and then the various data
collection and analysis methods are discussed in some detail. The process of ‘pulling all the data
together’ (called triangulation) is then explained. The process of sharing the research findings
and recommendations with the community is then discussed. This chapter ends with a focus on
both the strengths and limitations of the CAP research.
