Returning basic research to the community: A relationship between scientist and citizen.

Demonstrates how citizens can use the information gained through a basic research project to benefit both the social scientist and the community being studied. A case study is presented based on the experience of the Neighborhood Participation Project, which studied citizen participation in a racially integrated neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee. After gathering longitudinal data from residents, the researchers embarked on a process of working with a neighborhood agency (Neighborhood Housing Services) and a neighborhood organization (Sunnyside Community Citizens) to give away both the process and content of their research. The case study is presented to highlight some important issues for returning basic research to the community. The authors suggest that creating partnerships and linkages between social scientists and citizens can improve the quality of social science research, enhance the potential for using research, encourage public support for social science research, and help people help themselves. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)