Research beyond the hospital walls

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from BMJ Publishing Group via the DOI in this record.No abstract

Identifying social care research literature: Case studies from guideline development

This is the final version. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Objective – Systematic searching is central to guideline development, yet guidelines in social care present a challenge to systematic searching because they exist within a highly complex policy and service environment. The objective of this study was to highlight challenges and inform practice on identifying social care research literature, drawing on experiences from guideline development in social care. Methods – The researchers reflected on the approaches to searching for research evidence to inform three guidelines. They evaluated the utility of major topic-focused bibliographic database sources through a) determining the yield of citations from the search strategies for two guidelines and b) identifying which databases contain the citations for three guidelines. The researchers also considered the proportion of different study types and their presence in certain databases. Results – There were variations in the ability of the search terms to capture the studies from individual databases, even with low-precision searches. These were mitigated by searching a combination of databases and other resources that were specific to individual topics. A combination of eight databases was important for finding literature for the included topics. Multiple database searching also mitigates the currency of content, topic and study design focus, and consistency of indexing within individual databases. Conclusion – Systematic searching for research evidence in social care requires considerable thought and development so that the search is fit for the particular purpose of supporting guidelines. This study highlights key challenges and reveals trends when utilising some commonly used databases.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)National Institute for Health Research (NIHR

Anonymity in participatory research: Is it attainable? Is it desirable?SAGE

Patient perspectives in multi-disciplinary study teams can add to the relevance, quality, and application of research. In the United Kingdom, ethics committees tend to distinguish patient and citizen involvement from research participation. This means that when researchers ask patients or citizens for advice on a study, or invite them to collaborate with the study team, they do not need ethical approval. This puts their input on a similar footing to clinicians, other practitioners, academics, and policy makers. But there are times when people’s input into study design and implementation derives from their participation as research “subjects.” This is more likely to be common in qualitative research, where a researcher’s interaction with participants may result in collaboration on data collection and analysis. Drawing on a study ..

Coproduction and coproducing research with children and their parents

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from BMJ Publishing Group via the DOI in this record.This commentary is part of a series on practical research ethics and focuses on ‘co-production’. Increasingly, research funders are asking for co-produced research. Here, we clarify this concept, and the opportunities and practical challenges it can bring to paediatric research. Our commentary complements Preston et al’s article on how to involve children and young people in research.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)Department of Healt

Identifying social care research literature: Case studies from guideline development

OBJECTIVES: Systematic searching is central to guideline development, yet guidelines in social care present a challenge to systematic searching because they exist within a highly complex policy and service environment. The objective of this study was to highlight challenges and inform practice on identifying social care research literature, drawing on experiences from guideline development in social care. METHODS: The researchers reflected on the approaches to searching for research evidence to inform three guidelines. They evaluated the utility of major topic-focused bibliographic database sources through a) determining the yield of citations from the search strategies for two guidelines and b) identifying which databases contain the citations for three guidelines. The researchers also considered the proportion of different study types and their presence in certain databases. RESULTS: There were variations in the ability of the search terms to capture the studies from individual databases, even with low-precision searches. These were mitigated by searching a combination of databases and other resources that were specific to individual topics. A combination of eight databases was important for finding literature for the included topics. Multiple database searching also mitigates the currency of content, topic and study design focus, and consistency of indexing within individual databases. CONCLUSION: Systematic searching for research evidence in social care requires considerable thought and development so that the search is fit for the particular purpose of supporting guidelines. This study highlights key challenges and reveals trends when utilising some commonly used databases

Mentoring to reduce antisocial behaviour in childhood

The effects of social interventions need to be examined in real life situations as well as studie

Research beyond the hospital walls

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from BMJ Publishing Group via the DOI in this record.No abstract

A systematic review of interventions to support looked-after children in school

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.A systematic review of interventions to support looked-after children in school included interventions that aimed to improve attainment, or prevent drop-out or exclusions, and those that aimed to reduce absenteeism in the care population. Studies were critically appraised and their results were considered. No study was found robust enough to provide evidence on effectiveness, but promising interventions were identified. The review highlights the lack of evidence in an area that has received a lot of policy attention in the past few years. Future evaluations need to be underpinned by lessons learned from existing evaluations, clearly defined theories and definitions, and by the views of professionals, researchers, policy-makers and young people in care

Patient and public perspectives shaping scientific and medical research: panels for data, discussions, and decisions

Published onlineThis paper explores the role of patient panels for shaping research for health, scientific research about health and illness, and applied medical research. After examining the history and purposes of involving patients in discussions and decision making for research, it outlines the expertise and skills required if panels are to be successful. The paper also analyses existing guidance for panels that include patients. Panels benefit from the experiential knowledge of panel members, craft knowledge of panel facilitators, and organizational knowledge gained through previous experience of hosting panels. Guidance is available that addresses structures and resources (for panel funders) and interpersonal communication and group dynamics (for panel members and facilitators). This guidance is most comprehensive when it has itself been developed by all these types of stakeholders