Evidence library
Find material that examines the evidence, concepts and learning behind public involvement in research.
Browse the evidence library →
Resource centre
Libraries for learning from involvement
Explore evidence, practical experience, research projects and publications that can inform meaningful public involvement in health, public health and social care research.
Find your starting point
Reference material for questions at every stage
These libraries bring together routes into evidence and practice. Use them to understand approaches, prepare a piece of work or locate examples relevant to your question.
Each collection has a different focus. Some help readers explore published learning; others show how involvement has been planned and carried out in research projects. Browse by library or begin with a keyword search.
Search the collections
Look for a topic or library
Use a keyword to narrow your reading, or select a library to explore a particular type of material.
Browse by collection
Five routes into evidence and examples
Choose a collection based on whether you are looking for research, practical learning, published material or a project example.
Putting it into practice
Explore practical approaches and reflections that can help teams translate involvement principles into day-to-day work.
Explore practical learning →Library of research projects
Read about research projects and the different ways public contributors have helped shape the work.
View research projects →Publications library
Access published guides and reference material on public involvement, planning and inclusive practice.
Browse publications →Library of examples
Use examples to compare methods, prompts and ways of describing public contributions to research decisions.
See the examples library →Build on the basics
New to this topic? Start with a clear introduction to roles, language and the purpose of public involvement.
Find out more →What to look for
Read critically and usefully
01 / Context
Understand the setting
Consider the research question, the communities involved and the decisions contributors could influence.
02 / Approach
Compare methods
Look for how people were invited, supported, included and kept informed throughout the work.
03 / Influence
Follow the learning
Notice how contributions informed decisions, what was challenging and what teams would do differently.
How to use a library
Turn reading into a practical next step
A helpful reference is only the start. Use what you find to ask better questions about your own work.
Choose a focus
Define the decision, question or stage of work you need to understand.
Search broadly
Try plain-language terms as well as research vocabulary to find relevant material.
Compare examples
Review more than one approach and identify what is relevant to your context.
Record the learning
Keep useful prompts and explain how they inform your next conversation or plan.
Common questions
About the libraries
Who are these libraries for?
They are for members of the public, researchers and organisations who want to learn about public involvement in health, public health and social care research.
Can I use a library if I am new to research?
Yes. Start with the collection title that best describes your question, and use the jargon buster when you meet unfamiliar terms.
What is the difference between evidence and examples?
Evidence material helps readers examine learning across published work. Examples and project entries show how particular teams approached involvement in their own context.
How do I find support for planning involvement?
The libraries can help you explore ideas, while the briefing notes for researchers provide practical prompts for planning.
Are the materials a fixed template for every project?
No. They are reference points. Good involvement needs to respond to the research question, the people affected and the opportunities for genuine influence.
Where can I find a general introduction?
Visit Find out more for an overview of public involvement and the key ideas behind it.
Need a starting point?
Email InvolvestoryAsk about finding relevant material
Send a concise description of your topic and the stage your work has reached. Involvestory will help you identify relevant material on this site.