Module 7: The research cycle

2. The research cycle

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Stage of research	What is this?	How can consumers become involved?
Identifying and prioritising research topics For example, deciding what to research.	Helping to guide priorities as a stakeholder (someone whom the research is relevant to).	Help identify topics based on what you feel is important and your experiences. Establish a need for the proposal. To review the early stages of a project before it starts to offer your thoughts and feedback.
Designing the research For example, decide how to do it.	This stage looks at how the research will be carried out e.g. what methods will be used.	This stage looks at planning the research process from start to finish e.g. the methods used. Make sure the research methods are appropriate to consumers. For example, is the survey appropriate and easy to understand? What do you think about the language? Is it clear? Help encourage consumers to take part in the trial. Is it ethical? Does it consider the wellbeing of those who take part? Consider costs or potential challenges.
Data collection and data analysis For example, doing it.	This is all about doing the work. Collecting the data. For example, having participants complete surveys, conducting interviews and workshops.	Provide perspectives on the data. Help analyze the data. Share perspective through an advisory role e.g. consumer advisory group. Review documents. Conduct interviews and focus groups. Develop questionnaires, diagrams and documents for patients. Develop ideas and themes from the data. Make sure health professionals understand the patient’s perspective.
Dissemination For example, sharing the results.	Dissemination is all about sharing the research. We want to make sure people know about it and have access to it.	Dissemination is all about sharing the research. We want to make sure people know about it and have access to it. Help create a plan to share the results and offer advice on this. Help share the results and promote the study. Present the results alongside researchers. Help promote the research to other groups. Review and contribute to journal articles for publication.
Implementation	This is all about putting research into the ‘real’ world through policy and practice. For example, an intervention like M-FIT to support patients on dialysis manage fatigue.	Help bring it to life by generating ideas to put the research into action. Create tools to help explain the research and what it means for practice going forward.
Deciding what to research next	This is an important part. Some great research has been done and we want to know what comes next. What are you going to do with all the knowledge that we have gained?	Help provide recommendations on the next steps. Evaluate the study and process.