This article presents the International Participatory Research Framework (IPRF), a set of triangulated procedures that researchers can use to conduct participatory research in myriad international settings. The IPRF comprises four recursive steps: (i) contextualizing the host country; (ii) identifying collaborators in the host country; (iii) seeking advice and endorsement from gatekeepers and (iv) matching partners’ expertise, needs and interests. The IPRF also includes the following sets of recursive participatory actions: (1) becoming familiar with local languages and culture; (2) sharing power, ideas, influence and resources; (3) gathering oral and written information about partners; (4) establishing realistic expectations and (5) resolving personal and professional differences. The authors show how they used the IPRF recursively to build an effective partnership to study the roles of community health workers in Brazil.

Pinto, R. M., Da Silva, S. B., Penido, C., & Spector, A. Y. (2012). International participatory research framework: triangulating procedures to build health research capacity in Brazil. Health Promotion International, 27(4), 435-444. Full Text.