Structuring an Inter-sector Research Partnership: A Negotiated Zone Commentaries

Abstract

The case study by Bernier et al. (2006) is a welcome addition to the literature on operationalizing the primary health care rhetoric on intersectoral collaboration to advance community research and development goals. Their account of negotiating successful research partnerships leads us through the politics of research and underlines the importance of transparency and mutual goal setting in partnering with community groups and their vested interests. It also embodies the notion of relation-ship building. This is fundamental to success in research, ensuring conjoint planning for relevant research topics and fostering the uptake of new knowledge by the community. As the authors state, case studies documenting the developmental processes of community partnerships are critical to the extension and future success of intersectoral collaboration and generating the evidence base for community health.