Independent guidance for better public participation in health and care research
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Resource library

Library of examples

An archive of practical examples showing the different ways people have helped shape research questions, methods, materials and communication.

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About this collection

Examples that help make involvement visible

This collection brings together seven sets of archived examples from 2013 and 2014. Each set records a different perspective on the contribution of public involvement to health, public health and social care research.

Use the examples as prompts for planning, reflection and reporting. They are historical materials, so terminology, structures and funding arrangements may have changed since publication.

The collection

Seven perspectives on involvement

These archived resources show public involvement across hospital services, funding applications, study design and research reporting. Together, they offer practical illustrations of the range of contributions people can make.

  1. An account of public involvement at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, focused on the experience of a patient ambassador. Open the archived example
  2. Twelve impact case studies on public involvement in research submitted to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. View the case studies
  3. Five examples of public involvement in the work of senior research leaders. Read the publication
  4. Ten examples from research funding applications, illustrating how teams included public involvement when developing proposals. Explore the funding application examples
  5. Six examples examining the relationship between public involvement and research quality, collected through a research network. Read about research quality
  6. Five examples from studies funded through evaluation, trials and studies programmes. View the studies
  7. Nine examples exploring online and digital approaches to active public involvement in research. Explore the project examples

Related archived material

Further examples in social care and user-controlled research are available in Turning the Pyramid Upside Down and Changing Our Worlds: Examples of User Controlled Research in Action.

Using examples to build learning

The archive reflects a longer effort to understand the impact of public involvement on research. Published literature has described potential influences on priorities, study design, recruitment, data collection, analysis and communication. It also points to the value of recording contributions and explaining how they affected decisions.

When reviewing an example, consider what the team hoped involvement would influence; who was able to contribute; what support was offered; what changed; and what could be improved in a future project.

Selected references

Ennis, L. and Wykes, T. (2013). Study of patient involvement in mental health research.

Brett, J., Staniszewska, S. and Mockford, C. (2010). The PIRICOM Study: a systematic review of public involvement in health and social care research.

Staley, K. (2009). Exploring Impact: Public involvement in health, public health and social care research.

Staniszewska, S., Brett, J., Mockford, C. and Barber, R. (2011). The GRIPP checklist for reporting public involvement.

Popay, J., Collins, M. and colleagues (2013). Public Involvement Impact Assessment Framework and guidance.

Explore further

Featured example sets

Start with an example set that fits the question you are working on.

Funding applications

Examples of how public involvement was planned and described within research proposals.

Explore examples →

Studies and programmes

Examples of public contributions to studies funded through evaluation, trials and studies programmes.

View studies →

Impact case studies

A set of examples reporting public involvement through the 2014 impact case study process.

Read case studies →

Digital project examples

Archived projects that explored online approaches to public involvement in research.

Browse projects →
Using the resource

Turn an example into a useful discussion

Choose a relevant example

Look for a comparable research stage, setting or involvement purpose rather than a model to copy exactly.

Identify the decisions

Notice where contributors had an opportunity to inform priorities, plans, materials or communication.

Record your learning

Use the example to frame questions for your own team and document what you will do differently.

Common questions

About the examples

Are these current templates for research teams?

No. They are archived examples intended to support learning and reflection. Current projects should also consult relevant up-to-date guidance and local processes.

What can an example tell us about impact?

It can show what contributors did, which decisions were affected and how the team understood the difference made. It may not capture every influence or outcome.

Can I use an example in training?

Yes. Examples can support discussion about roles, access, communication and how teams can report involvement clearly.

Where can I find broader evidence?

The evidence library provides a route to material about the nature, extent and impact of public involvement.

How can I find practical planning support?

Visit the briefing notes for researchers for material that can help teams plan involvement from the outset.

Need a starting point?

Looking for the right resource?

Send a concise description of your question and the stage your work has reached. Involvestory will help you identify relevant material on this site.

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