Which of the following best captures CBPR core principles?

• A. Co-learning, shared decision-making, mutual benefit, and capacity building.
• B. Top-down dissemination with no community input.
• C. Emphasis on cost-effectiveness only.
• D. Only researchers lead the project.

Answer: (B)

CBPR centers on collaboration with community partners throughout the research process, recognizing that knowledge comes from both researchers and the people affected by the work. The best option reflects this by including co-learning, where researchers and community members learn from one another; shared decision-making, ensuring the community has an equal say in study design, implementation, and interpretation; mutual benefit, so the project advances outcomes that matter to the community; and capacity building, strengthening community skills and resources to sustain impact.

This approach stands in contrast to top-down dissemination with no community input, which excludes the participatory aspect; an emphasis on cost-effectiveness only, which misses empowerment and community relevance; and a model where researchers lead the project, which undermines ownership and shared leadership.