https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/our-research/our-research-infrastructure/nihr-great-ormond-street-hospital-brc/nihr-gosh-brc-and-crf-joint-support-research-strategies/patient-and-public-involvement-engagement-ppie-hub/ways-to-get-involved-in-research/

Ways to get involved in research

Join Our Research Community

At GOSH BRC and CRF, we're committed to growing our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) community. We want to make sure your voice is heard and that you're involved in shaping research at every stage, from planning and design to delivery and strategy.

There are many ways to take part in research. Some opportunities are one-time commitments, while others offer ongoing involvement. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, so we aim to be flexible and provide opportunities that fit your needs and interests. We also do our best to match you with activities that align with your skills, so you can contribute in a way that feels right for you.

We welcome everyone to get involved and help us make a real difference.

Sign up to get involved

Review our information below and contact the GOSH PPIE Manager if you would like to find out more about getting involved in research at GOSH: research.ppi@gosh.nhs.uk

The image shows a young scientist in a white lab coat and blue gloves looking into a microscope in a modern laboratory. Another person in the background, also in a lab coat, observes with a smile. The laboratory is well-equipped, with various containers and equipment visible on shelves. The scene conveys a collaborative and focused research environment.

Explore the different ways to get involved in research

Talk to a researcher informally and give your views:

  • at a workshop, focus group or event
  • before or after a hospital appointment
  • by completing a survey or questionnaire

Attend a workshop or focus group or online involvement to:

  • review a research proposal including the plain English summary
  • comment on how practical and reasonable the research is
  • comment on and/or co-develop patient information leaflets, questionnaires or other research materials to make them more understandable to patients and the public

Join a PPI research steering group or committee and work in partnership with researchers to:

  • shape the research methods
  • steer the study/project/trial through the research process

Get involved in undertaking the research

By becoming a member of a PPI research steering group or committee, you would work in partnership with researchers to analyse and interpret research findings, or you may attend a small workshop or event to provide your views on the research outcomes.

As a member of a PPI research steering group or committee, you would work in partnership with researchers to:

  • co-develop dissemination of research findings to plan how best to report research findings to others through networks, newsletters and different media and formats
  • co-develop progress reports or e-newsletters to keep PPI representatives and research participants informed throughout the project
  • co-present at conferences, speaking to patients, support groups and service providers
  • co-author journal and newsletter articles
  • co-deliver ‘hands-on’ activities at research engagement events

Focus groups are an essential method for gathering in-depth insights on specific topics through open, informal discussions.

We use them to explore beliefs, perceptions and attitudes about a certain topic, with a discussion that starts out broadly and gradually narrows down to the focus.

Focus groups are:

  • not a rigidly constructed question-and-answer session
  • often offer unexpected insights
  • usually between 1.5–2 hours in duration
  • typically consist of between 6–8 people with a facilitator and co-facilitator
  • supported by facilitators who focus the discussion in a nondirective manner

From being involved in a PPI Focus Group, you may also be interested in being involved throughout the lifecycle of the project as part of a PPI Steering Committee to:

  • help to guide/steer a piece of research/project through each stage of the study design (designing the detailed protocol)
  • recruitment (how to enhance a research participant’s journey in a research study/trial)
  • co-production of easy-to-understand patient information
  • analysis
  • influencing the way research findings are put into practice

For researchers: understanding the impact on the PPI contributor

If you're a researcher, consider the impact of involvement for PPI contributors and find out how they feel they have developed skills throughout the life cycle of the research project.

We also ask researchers to reflect on and plan how they will involve people earlier in their next project.