PPIRes - Information for researchers

The PPIRes project gives you the opportunity to access, through the PPIRes coordinator, a panel of volunteers who are willing and able to assist you at all stages of the research process.

All volunteers have, or are in the process, of attending training to learn about stages in research and how they could contribute. Volunteers have been recruited from a wide range of backgrounds and many have used health services extensively and have a disability or play a caring role. We also have details of organisations, which may be able to help to identify individuals with particular experiences to contribute.

Why involve service users?

• It may help to get your research project funded - many funders now require user involvement
• It brings in another point of view - patients know a great deal about their illness and the impact it can have on their lives and that of their carers

Service Users:

• Want to be involved and can add value to all stages of research
• Can review documents to give a lay perspective
• Can help to ensure questions and issues of relevance to the community are included
• Can assist in dissemination of findings
• Will help with writing your findings in lay language

What roles can the public play?

• Suggesting the questions that need answering
• ‘Fine-tuning’ the direction of the study
• Helping to design the study
• Asking the questions that the public would need answering
• Challenging potential ethical issues
• Help with appropriate information for participants
• Coming to steering groups to advise the researchers
• Sharing ideas on how to publicise the study
• Helping to disseminate the findings
  and more!

Please contact the PPIRes coordinator for further information.