Phase 3: Identifying how context may affect the impacts of PI
The key question to consider here is:
- How might the context in which your research will take place affect the process of public involvement and/or its impacts?
Your assessment plan needs to take into account aspects of the context in which your research is taking place that might affect the impacts of your involvement processes. You may have noted these on the record card completed during Part 1 and could include:
The research itself, its focus and the study design
- Are your desired impacts realistic in the context of your research?
- Are members of the public involved at appropriate points in the research process? For example, to impact on recruitment to trials by contributing to patient information leaflets) members of the public will need to be involved at an early stage of a study.
Values and behaviours in the research team and in wider settings or organisations
- How might the support, or lack of it, from key people, particularly senior members of your institution/funders, influence the impact of your public involvement activities? Constraints imposed by your organisation or funders may lead to token involvement and reduced impacts.
Practical issues including structures, procedures and resources
- Do you have appropriate financial resources to support the public who are involved to deliver the desired impacts? The availability of these resources can reassure members of the public that their contribution will be taken seriously.
- Are your financial and/or administrative systems fit for purpose?
- Referring to existing guidelines or principles for best practice in public involvement may help to ensure that your public involvement has the impacts you are hoping for. You can download our draft standards for good practice in public involvement which collates recommendations for good practice from a range of sources.