New HRA and INVOLVE briefing and guidance on public involvement and ethical review

Last updated on 23 May 2016

The HRA and INVOLVE today issued an evidence briefing and guidance on involving the public in health and social care research and the relevance of public involvement to the role of Research Ethics Committees.

Based on the available evidence the HRA and INVOLVE believe that research that has involved the public is more likely to be relevant and good quality; and therefore more likely to receive an outright favourable opinion and to lead to better recruitment and retention of participants.

The aim of these two documents is to raise awareness of public involvement when researchers are in the early stages of designing a study and make them aware of how the Research Ethics Committee will draw on the information provided about public involvement for assurances on aspects of the design and ethical probity of the proposed research.

Click here to access the HRA/INVOLVE joint publications:

  • Impact of public involvement on the ethical aspects of research – evidences how public involvement can help to make research more ethical and produce better outcomes
  • Public involvement in research and research ethics committee review – offers guidance on public involvement within ethical review

The HRA is committed to improving the level and quality of public involvement in applications for ethical review – as set out in its public involvement strategy. The publication of this briefing and guidance forms part of a wider programme of work the HRA will be undertaking, in relation to public involvement in ethical review.

The HRA will need to involve and listen to the views of a range of stakeholders to successfully deliver this programme of work. If you have an interest in getting involved or contributing your views to this work programme, please contact the HRA public involvement team.

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