We've streamlined processes to make it easier to use the Be Part of Research sign-up register to help recruit participants in the UK.
The Be Part of Research platform has received a favourable opinion from one of the Health Research Authority’s Research Ethics Committees (REC) for use as a sign-up register research database.
From today (2 September), researchers can now reference Be Part of Research in new applications without having to submit additional documents. Studies with existing approval can also be modified more easily.
The changes are consistent with the standards and safeguards set out in the recent HRA report on using health information to let patients know about research options.
We hope these changes will simplify the inclusion of Be Part of Research in both new and existing research applications, and reduce unnecessary modifications to studies.
What is Be Part of Research?
Be Part of Research is a UK-wide volunteer registry, run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The free online service covers all health and care research specialties.
It matches people to studies based on their interests and location, helping researchers to power recruitment for studies using the service.
More than 700,000 people from across the UK have signed up and registered their interest in taking part in research in the UK.
To use the service, studies must be funded or supported by the NIHR (including studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network Portfolio). Studies must also have have REC approval to use the service as a recruitment tool.
To get started, simply complete the study registration form and a member of the team will contact you to discuss your study.
What has changed?
Researchers can now more easily use Be Part of Research as a recruitment or referral route by including information in a study's IRAS application form.
The new process depends on the stage a study application is at:
- New studies (pre-submission) – make sure you include a reference to the Be Part of Research sign-up register in your proposed recruitment or referral route in your IRAS application and study protocol (REC Reference: 26/SW/0088, IRAS Project ID: 372170)
- Studies open to recruitment (post-approval) – there is no longer a requirement for sponsors to submit a substantial modification when including the Be Part of Research platform into an existing study approval. Instead, when adding references to the Be Part of Research sign-up register to an approved study, ensure that this is the only change made within the modification and this will normally be processed as a minor modification. Minor modifications do not require review by the REC
When is a substantial modification still required?
A substantial modification will be needed if you add new eligibility criteria, new screening questions, or new participant-facing information that is not already included in your approved study documents because of the inclusion of the Be Part of Research sign-up register.
If you are unsure about whether you need to submit a substantial modification, please use the IRAS Modification Tool to check what you need to do.
How can I use Be Part of Research for recruitment?
Once your study has received REC approval and registered on an eligible platform, you can apply to add it to the Be Part of Research website.
You won't get direct access to their database to message volunteers, but once your study is added, the Be Part of Research team will manage an email outreach campaign on your behalf - with potentially suitable volunteers matched and signposted to your study.
Researchers will receive a notification when someone has expressed interest in participating in a study, or has been directly referred through the agreed pathway.
Support with the new process
NIHR can support you with any questions you have about using the Be Part of Research volunteer registry.
If you have any questions email bepartofresearch-volunteerservice@nihr.ac.uk