Evidence Library

Abstract:

Aim: To develop a collaborative approach to finding out the views of users of services provided by health and social services partnerships.

Methods: Academic researchers worked with three user research organisations to design a research tool and interview service users.

Findings/recommendations: The input of the user researchers was significant in developing the research tool and changed its final form and content. This helped ensure the tool more closely reflected the issues important to users. They also influenced the data collection and analysis by contributing their thoughts and reflections after completing the interviews.

However, the academic researchers also highlight the difficulties that arose because some of the user researchers did not possess or develop the necessary skills to carry out in-depth interviews. It proved difficult to address this problem within the constraints of the grant award. They believe this compromised the quality of the research and the well-being of the interviewees. They recommend that in future projects, user researchers are not only offered training but also offered alternative tasks to match their skills and levels of confidence. It might also be appropriate to interview people for specific research roles.

Related entry: none currently available

Categories: health
public health
social care
Designing research
Undertaking research
impact on research
impact on research ethics
impact of public involvement
journal article

Date Entered: 2009/01/28

Date Edited: 2012/11/21