Evidence Library

Aims: To see whether consensus could be reached between researchers and consumers about what it means to involve consumers successfully in research. To develop principles of successful involvement, and at least one measurable indicator for each principle.

Methods used: Two consensus methods were used - a workshop and a Delphi study. Three consumers who attended the workshop were recruited as advisors to the research team.

Findings/recommendations: Consumer advisors influenced the recruitment strategy for the Delphi study and the interpretation of the findings.

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the findings of the Delphi panel. It also describes a sub-group analysis, which was carried out to establish whether the three panel sub-groups - consumers, researchers and consumers who are also researchers - differed significantly in their views of the principles and indicators.

The researchers found that there was a significant degree of common ground between the three sub-groups about what successful involvement is. Consensus was reached on eight principles, and on indicators for these principles. There were only a few significant differences between how the three groups rated the principles and indicators.