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Our research approach has two distinct features: our use of multi-methods and our extensive collaboration with community stakeholders. Our use of multiple, varied methods (secondary data analysis, survey, in-depth interviews, focus groups, etc) allows for triangulation or contradiction. While the qualitative methods are particularly appropriate for understanding and generating deeper insights into the processes and dynamics that are associated with a social issue under study, the quantitative methods allow for a broader understanding of these issues.

The second feature of our research scholarship is that we conceptualize research as engaged research - our community partners collaborate with us in defining the focus and implementation of our research projects. We strive to establish extensive collaborations with community stakeholders as they will ultimately be the end users of the knowledge produced. These collaborations provide opportunities for us to influence practice and policy and for practitioners to influence our research agenda.

We have termed our research approach a Community Dialogue Approach and have used this approach as the main methodological framework for all our research projects. The Community Dialogue Approach re-imagines community engagement as a methodological practice and research as a community dialogue that must fully engage the community.

In keeping with this focus on community engagement, findings from these multiple sources are integrated to produce policy and practice relevant knowledge which is disseminated not only to the academic community but also translated and shared with end users (policy-makers and practitioners) through multiple channels and diverse channels such as community forums and research bulletins in addition to scholarly dissemination (peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations).

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