Abstract

Generally, qualitative research emphasizes the significance of the relationship and nature of involvement between the researcher and participants. While the quality of this relationship and involvement impacts considerably on the validity of the data, gaining access to the ‘right’ participants precedes both these factors. Research with ‘hard to reach’ communities increases the difficulty of access and consequently the efforts of the researcher to provide valid data. Researchers have to concern themselves with not only how to involve communities in meaningful ways but how to identify those community members that would contribute most meaningfully to the research. Community advisory boards are traditionally used to build and maintain relationships between researchers and the community so that researchers understand the nature of the community and the context in which the research takes place (Quinn, 2004). The inclusion of a community advisory group in the development and conduct of research with ‘hard to reach’ groups is a significant means to achieving research that reflects the realities of these communities. The composition of a community advisory group is essential to gaining access to those community members that are likely to provide accurate and trustworthy data. To avoid exploitation and exclusion of these communities, members of community advisory groups as well as those involved in the research as researchers need to be chosen carefully. In comprising a community advisory group, we need to know the basis for deciding who will be selected to such a group. This article looks at the development and contribution of a community advisory group involved in research with Pasifika youth in Auckland, New Zealand and proposes a set of characteristics and competencies that could inform an effective community advisory group.