Roles for researchers in community action projects to prevent alcohol and other drug problems: Methodological choices

Aims: To discuss three alternative roles and associated challenges for researchers as participants in community action projects for prevention of alcohol and other drug problems.

Methods: To undertake a case study of alternative roles for researchers in community action projects in three Nordic countries.

Findings: There are three alternatives roles for researchers in community prevention projects, each with scientific advantages and disadvantages. The researcher role in practice depends on key features of the intervention as well as the focus and overall aim of the evaluation study. The choice of the researcher role has important implications for the entire research methodology and responsibility and ethics of research.

Conclusions: There is a need to assess the stage of local preventive work in a given country when planning evaluation of community action projects. The first stage of development of a solid scientific foundation for local substance prevention requires pilot and early demonstration projects. In the early developmental phases, researchers often choose to be active participants and partners with the communities. Without the researcher or other professional involvement, the risk of lack of any effect is increased. If the pilot projects and their efficacy trials are successful, it is mandatory to move on to the next (more natural) test phase. Effectiveness trials with researchers, who act as unobtrusive observers, will then be useful.