A Hitchhikers Guide to Research: What is Research? Simon Jones

1. A Hitchhikers Guide to Research:What is Research?Simon Jones

2. What happened to the history of ‘scientific method’? What is research? Why do we need research? Who does research? and How can YOU become involved?

3. What is research? What do you think?

4. Some of the definitions of research from people who took part in an INVOLVE workshop: “Research is about finding answers, or even identifying important questions.” “Scientific investigation to discover facts.” “Investigating a subject and trying to get a result and understand what it is all about.” “To delve into, find answers, and implement!” Definitions of research

5. The term research means different things to different people, but essentially it is about finding out new knowledge. That new knowledge can then be used to make or inform change. Knowledge and change

6. In relation to health and social care research, new knowledge can lead to changes in treatments, policies and care. For example: new medicines, classification of illegal drugs, and changes in attitudes towards mental illness. Health and social care research

7. Our knowledge of research will differ depending on our experience of it. For example, some of us will have experience of being part of large national studies where tests and samples are taken. Levels of research experience

8. Others will have experience of smaller local studies, perhaps answering researchers’ questions in our own homes, in a community setting or even in the streets. Levels of research experience

9. The rest of us may have no experience of research at all. But whatever our level of experience we hope by the end of today that we all have a better understanding of research and the ways in which it is used. Levels of research experience

10. There are many types of health and social care research but there are 4 types which you will be most involved in as part of SURF: NHS research; Public Health Research; Social Care Research; and Development Research Types of research

11. … is research carried out in the NHS or funded by the NHS. It can include research into drug treatments and medical devices; research about where people are treated; and how staff provide care to patients. For example, research involving: Drug trials; or Surveys given to you at your GPs 1. NHS Research

12. … is concerned with promoting good health, preventing disease and protecting populations from hazards, rather than treating illnesses. It covers topics like the control of infections diseases, vaccinations, and helping people to adopt healthy lifestyles. For example, research into: The best ways to help people stop smoking; or How bird flu spreads to humans. 2. Public Health Research

13. … refers to a range of services provided across different settings, usually supporting people in the community. These include care for older people, residential care, fostering for children, and support services for mental health service users, disabled people, people with learning disabilities and carers. For example, research into: People’s experience of using different homes care services; or The best ways to train new foster parents. 3. Social Care Research

14. … refers to the Research and Development process which uses the latest and most reliable research to improve products, devices, processes and service. For example, research that: Explores the difficulties people have with using wheelchairs, which is then taken forward to develop improved wheelchairs. 4. Development Research

15. Why do we need research? What do you think?

16. Health and social care research helps us to: Find out what people think about services; Identify health and social inequalities; Evaluate how effective services are; Improve the environment, health and wellbeing of a population; Why do we need research?

17. Identify people at risk of getting ill and help to prevent illness; Identify the best use of resources; Test treatments to make sure they are safe and effective; and Ensure services and treatments are relevant to the public. Why do we need research?

18. Who does research? What do you think?

19. You could say we all do in some way… But in the health and social context a whole range of different people carry out research including: Health professionals (e.g. GPs, social workers, nurses, surgeons and clinicians) Social scientists (e.g. health service researchers, statisticians and health economists) Who does research?

20. Scientists (e.g. chemists, biologists); Academics (e.g. universities, students, teachers); Private companies (e.g. drug companies); and User researchers and members of the public (e.g. YOU!) Who does research?

21. How can YOU become involved? What do you think?

22. You could be involved at any stage of the research process: Funding – how research is funded and applied for; Carrying our research – collecting information, analysing and reporting; How can YOU become involved?

23. Dissemination – communicating the research findings; and Development – putting research into practice, monitoring, evaluation etc. How can YOU become involved?

24. Research can be: Full time or part time; Done as an individual or in a team; and be Local, national or international. Researchers are normally trained, but the type of training can vary drastically. How can YOU become involved?

25. As a SURF member a specialised knowledge of research is not needed in order to be involved. (But we can provide training if needed) What is important is that you are able to bring your own knowledge and experience of being a user of health and/or social care services to the research process. YOU are an expert about your own experience – and therefore your perspectives have a key part to play in the process of research. How much training do you need?

26. Thank you Any Questions