5.1 Develop visions and objectives together (develop research questions together)
Community partnerships are established at the earliest phases of the project in such a way that problem definition, research objectives and research questions are designed together. In other words, stakeholders have real input and control over the research process and the design of the research study. Clear missions or visions for the project will be critical. Joint ownership will provide opportunity for participants to have input into how the project will be organised and the directions it will take. The goal is to promote a co-learning and empowering process that attends to social inequalities. It is during this phase that a number of practical considerations will need to be defined. These may include, agreed norms and processes, agreements in relation to in-kind support, the balance between scientific rigour and community acceptability, joint submission of grants, potential risks to the community from the research, establishment of advisory boards or others.

5.2 Promote cooperative rather than competitive structures
Cooperative structures encourage opportunities to gain from each others efforts, recognise the link to a common fate, be aware of individuals as well as the whole, and to celebrate achievements together. These structures are more likely to: (i) promote improved learning and achievement; (ii) increase participant retention; (iii) enhance participant satisfaction with the research experience; and (iv) improve communication and social processes