The PITCH Lab utilizes Community-based participatory research (CBPR) designs to engage community members in research. CBPR is a "collaborative approach to research that equitably involves, for example, community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process" (Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998, p. 177).
If you'd like to learn more about CBPR, including the rationale for using CBPR methods, please see these selected readings:
Articles:
Israel, B. A., Schulz, A. J., Parker, E. A., & Becker, A. B. (1998). Review of community-based research: assessing partnership approaches to improve public health. Annual Review of Public Health, 19, 173-202.
Wallerstein, N.B. & Duran, B. D. (2006). Using community-based participatory research to address health disparities. Health Promotion Practice, 7, 312-323.
Books:
Community-based Participatory Research for Health, edited by Minkler & Wallerstein
Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research for Health, by Israel et al.