Evidence Library

Abstract:

This report describes the process of involving parents in the development of a research study. A team of academics and therapists began the process of designing a study which aimed to improve postural management for children with physical disabilities attending mainstream schools. They presented their ideas to a group of parents of children with physical disabilities.

In response to parents' feedback, the research team adapted their study to:

• expand the settings to include both mainstream and specialist schools
• move away from a professional concept of 'postural management' towards considering understanding the barriers to the children's physical, social and emotional development in the school setting
• place greater emphasis on including the perspectives of the teaching staff.

This involvement helped to keep the researchers focused on the issues most relevant and important to the parents and their children.

The researchers therefore had to redesign their study. They comment on how this delayed the submission of their research proposal but how the benefits in terms of strengthening the proposal, far outweighed any delays in timing.

Related entry: none currently available

Categories: health
social care
Identifying topics, prioritising and commissioning
Designing research
impact on research
impact of public involvement
journal article

Date Entered: 2010/09/28

Date Edited: 2012/11/20