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Maria Piggin and Helen Ward

This course focuses on participatory approaches in research, known as 'public involvement' in the UK. You'll specifically, consider why citizens and patients would be involved in research and explore participatory approaches across and within the research cycle in more detail, diving into questions such as:

- what kinds of participation can be undertaken at each of the 7 stages of the cycle?

- how can you utilise participation in research?

- what examples of using participatory approaches exist in research?

Read more

This course focuses on participatory approaches in research, known as 'public involvement' in the UK. You'll specifically, consider why citizens and patients would be involved in research and explore participatory approaches across and within the research cycle in more detail, diving into questions such as:

- what kinds of participation can be undertaken at each of the 7 stages of the cycle?

- how can you utilise participation in research?

- what examples of using participatory approaches exist in research?

While this course, as with the rest of the specialisation, focuses on public health and ways of involving citizens and patients across and within the research cycle, these concepts apply to other disciplines and kinds of research too. So, you don't have to be a public health specialist or work in healthcare to gain insight from this course.

If you would like to learn more about the theories and core principles of participation within a public health context, we suggest taking Introduction to Participatory Approaches in Public Health. If you're planning a research project and want to include participatory approaches, explore our course Applying Participatory Approaches in Public Health Settings.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Differentiating Public Involvement and Co-production in Health Research
Welcome to Module 1! Over the next 4 modules, you'll focus on how citizens and patients can be involved in research from the researcher side. You'll explore participation across and within the research cycle (as we refer to it) in more detail, specifically, what kinds of participatory approaches can be undertaken at each of the 7 stages of the research cycle. Although these modules have a public health focus, the approaches and ways of involving citizens and patients across and within the research cycle apply to other disciplines and kinds of research too (even basic research – although it can be slightly more challenging!). First, you need to be clear about the definitions we use, so let’s start there.
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Role of Public Involvement and Co-production Throughout the Research Cycle
Welcome to Module 2. You will now dive down into participatory approaches taken in the UK in publicly funded health research which are framed around the 7 stages of the ‘research cycle’ (as we call it). You will learn why involving citizens and patients in research is valuable, how you might go about involving people at the different stages of the research cycle and hear about case studies and examples of how this has been done in the real world. In Lesson 1, you will look at the role of public involvement and co-production throughout the first stage of the research cycle (Identifying and Prioritising), review some methodologies which can be used to identify and prioritise research topics and hear about some examples. In Lesson 2, you will look at the role of public involvement and co-production throughout the second stage (Designing and Managing) and third stage (Funding and Commissioning) of the research cycle and hear about how citizens and patients have been involved at these stages.
What Is the Role of Public Involvement and Co-production Throughout the Stages of the Research Cycle? (Covering Stage 4 (Undertaking and Analysing), Stage 5 (Disseminating) and Stage 6 (Implementing))
Welcome to Module 3! In Lesson 1, you'll look at the role of public involvement and co-production throughout the fourth stage of the research cycle (Undertaking and Analysing). Qualitative research (collecting and analysing non-numerical data) might seem the most obvious kind of research in which to involve citizens and patients as co-researchers - e.g. in interviews and surveys. However, you're going to study some other examples where citizens and patients can inform the “doing” of research - for example, systematic reviews. In Lesson 2, you'll look at the role of public involvement and co-production throughout the fifth stage and the sixth stages of the research cycle (Disseminating) and (Implementing) respectively. You'll also hear about how citizens have been involved at these stages.
How can you evaluate public involvement and co-production in health research (stage 7 of the research cycle)?
In this module, you will learn about the ways to evaluate public involvement and co-production in health research (stage 7 of the research cycle). Jack Jacques gives an interview in which he talks about his experience with evaluating the impact of public involvement - we encourage you to listen to this. You also have the opportunity to decide on an evaluation tool which can be applied to your own setting - you'll write a short summary justifying why you'd choose the tool and evaluating its strengths and limitations.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers public involvement and co-production throughout the research cycle, providing a comprehensive overview for learners
Instructors Maria Piggin and Helen Ward are experts in public involvement in research, bringing valuable insights and credibility to the course
Emphasizes the value of involving citizens and patients in research, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach
Provides case studies and examples of how participatory approaches have been successfully implemented in research projects
Applicable to various disciplines and research types, offering a broader perspective beyond public health
Course requires learners to actively participate in discussions and assignments, promoting engagement and practical application

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Reviews summary

Public involvement in research

Learners say this public involvement in research course is fantastic and insightful. Students describe it as amazing and highly recommend it. It provides a great introduction to PPI and helpful ideas for beginners. The course design is good and informative, although some students suggest adding a summary table after each week's final test.
Add summary table after each week's final test
"I will suggest a summary table for each week should be provided after we pass the final test."
Great course content
"Amazing experience!"
"Such a comprehensive course!!"
"Fantastic and insightful overview of public involvement in research."
"Huge amount of useful information"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Public Involvement in Research with these activities:
Create a course notebook
Creating a course notebook will help you keep track of the concepts and methods you learn in the course and make it easier to review for exams.
Show steps
  • Purchase a notebook.
  • Divide the notebook into sections for each module of the course.
  • Take notes during the lectures and readings.
Review research methods
By reviewing research methods prior to the course, you will be better prepared for the course content and activities.
Browse courses on Research Methods
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous courses on research methods.
  • Read a textbook chapter on research methods.
  • Take a practice quiz on research methods.
Watch video tutorials
Watching video tutorials will help you learn about the concepts and methods of participatory research in a more engaging way.
Show steps
  • Find video tutorials on participatory research.
  • Watch the tutorials.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Join a study group
Joining a study group will allow you to discuss the course material with other students and get help with your assignments.
Browse courses on Participatory Research
Show steps
  • Find a study group that meets your needs.
  • Attend the study group meetings regularly.
  • Participate in the discussions.
Participate in Online Forums
Engaging in online discussions with peers and instructors can clarify concepts, deepen understanding, and expose you to diverse perspectives.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant online forums or discussion boards
  • Post thoughtful questions or comments
Design a research project
Designing a research project will help you apply the concepts and methods you learn in the course to a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a research question.
  • Develop a research plan.
  • Identify potential participants.
  • Write a research proposal.
Form a Study Group
Collaborating with peers in a study group can enhance comprehension, foster discussion, and provide support throughout the course.
Show steps
  • Identify and connect with classmates interested in forming a study group
  • Establish a regular meeting schedule and agenda
  • Review course materials, discuss concepts, and work on assignments together
Complete problem sets
Completing problem sets will help you practice the skills you learn in the course and improve your understanding of the material.
Browse courses on Research Methods
Show steps
  • Download the problem sets from the course website.
  • Solve the problems on your own.
  • Check your answers with the solutions provided.
Develop a public engagement plan
Developing a public engagement plan will help you think about how to involve the public in your research project.
Browse courses on Participatory Research
Show steps
  • Identify your target audience.
  • Develop your key messages.
  • Choose your engagement methods.
  • Create a timeline for your engagement activities.
Practice Designing Research Surveys
Going through the process of designing research surveys will improve your understanding of the principles and techniques involved.
Show steps
  • Review resources on research survey design
  • Create a survey outline and draft questions
  • Seek feedback and refine the survey instrument
Assist in a Community Health Project
Practical experience in a community health setting will provide valuable insights and help you connect the course material to real-world applications.
Show steps
  • Identify local community health organizations or initiatives
  • Inquire about volunteer opportunities and roles
  • Participate in community health projects or events
Write a blog post
Writing a blog post will help you synthesize your understanding of participatory research and share it with others.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your blog post.
  • Research your topic.
  • Write your blog post.
  • Publish your blog post.

Career center

Learners who complete Public Involvement in Research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, implement, and evaluate projects to achieve specific goals. They may work in a variety of industries, such as construction, technology, and healthcare. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to design and implement projects that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community.
User Experience Researcher
User Experience Researchers conduct research to improve the user experience of products and services. They may work in a variety of industries, such as technology, healthcare, and retail. This course may be useful for User Experience Researchers who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to design and conduct research that is more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the user community.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They may work in a variety of industries, such as technology, finance, and healthcare. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to collect and analyze data that is more representative of the population.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They may work in a variety of industries, such as technology, healthcare, and retail. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and implement marketing campaigns that are more effective and engaging.
Innovation Consultant
Innovation Consultants help organizations to develop and implement new products and services. They may work in a variety of industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. This course may be useful for Innovation Consultants who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and implement innovation strategies that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community.
Program Manager
Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs to achieve specific goals. They may work in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses. This course may be useful for Program Managers who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to design and implement programs that are more effective and responsive to the needs of the community.
Science Communications Manager
Science Communications Managers develop and implement communication strategies to share scientific information with the public. They may work in a variety of settings, such as universities, museums, and science centers. This course may be useful for Science Communications Managers who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and implement communication strategies that are more effective and engaging.
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts develop and evaluate policies that affect health and healthcare. They may work in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, think tanks, and advocacy groups. This course may be useful for Health Policy Analysts who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and evaluate policies that are more responsive to the needs of the public.
Science Policy Analyst
Science Policy Analysts develop and evaluate policies that affect science and technology. They may work in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, think tanks, and advocacy groups. This course may be useful for Science Policy Analysts who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and evaluate policies that are more responsive to the needs of the public.
Research Ethics Analyst
Research Ethics Analysts review and evaluate research proposals to ensure that they are ethical and comply with regulations. They may work in a variety of settings, such as universities, hospitals, and government agencies. This course may be useful for Research Ethics Analysts who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to ensure that research is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.
Public Health Educator
Public Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and community centers. This course may be useful for Public Health Educators who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop and implement educational programs that are more effective and engaging.
Health Scientist
Health Scientists conduct research to improve the health and well-being of people. They may work in a variety of fields, such as public health, epidemiology, and clinical research. This course may be useful for Health Scientists who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to design and conduct research that is more responsive to the needs of the community.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses and organizations make informed decisions. They may work in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, finance, and marketing. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to collect and analyze data that is more representative of the population.
Research Scientist
Research Scientists conduct scientific research to develop new knowledge and technologies. They may work in a variety of fields, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. This course may be useful for Research Scientists who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to develop research that is more relevant to the needs of society.
Research Assistant
Research Assistants help conduct scientific research under the supervision of more senior researchers. They may design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and write reports. This course may be useful for Research Assistants who want to learn more about public involvement in research, as this can help them to design and conduct research that is more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Public Involvement in Research.
This guidance provides specific guidance for research teams on how to involve the public in NHS research. It covers all aspects of public involvement, from planning and design to implementation and dissemination.
This guide provides practical advice on how to involve the public in NHS, social care and public health research.
Provides a theoretical and methodological approach to participatory research. It covers all aspects of participatory research, from its history and theory to its practical application.

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