Resources - Research Methods (Mesh)

Developing a finer grained analysis of research impact: Can we assess the wider effects of public engagement?

This article, published with a creative commons licence on the LSE Impact Blog, suggests a more comprehensive and balanced approach for the evaluation of public engagement, drawing on evaluation criteria commonly used in aid evaluation.

Literature: From ‘Trial Community’ to ‘Experimental Publics’: How Clinical Research Shapes Public Participation

Literature: Between Vision and Reality: A Study of Scientists’ Views on Citizen Science

This paper describes a case study, which planned to involve citizen science in an air pollution study. Findings are based on interviews and observations, including a six-month field diary, of ten scientists who engaged in a citizen science project not because they are convinced of its value as an approach to strong science but in order to receive funding for their scientific research. 

Examining the use of participatory visual and narrative methods to explore the lived experience of migrants in Southern Africa

This working paper  explores the opportunities and challenges associated with visual research methodologies. The paper draws specifically on a MoVE (methods: visual: explore) project that explored the lived experiences of migrant groups in southern Africa.  

Qualitative Research into Public Attitudes to Personal Data and Linking Personal Data (2013)

The Wellcome Trust commissioned CM Insight to conduct some focus groups to try to answer these questions, to help give us a better understanding of people's attitudes towards their data in order to inform future public engagement activities.The findings were launched at a Wellcome Collection event, 'Spotlight on…. Private Data, Public Good?'  

Developing Ethical Practices for Public Health Research Data Sharing in South Africa: The Views and Experiences From a Diverse Sample of Research Stakeholders

 This qualitative study examined the perceptions, experiences and concerns of 32 research stakeholders about data-sharing practices.

Informal Science

Arts in Health: Book Review

A useful and comprehensive overview of how to undertake research and practice in arts in health. Contains practical advice for the management of a collaborative arts and health project (including how to manage a tender process, plan and evaluation and write a research protocol).   

Photovoice Ethics: Critical Reflections from Men’s Mental Health Research

Photovoice Ethics is a report and ethical guide for researchers who want to explore sensitive topics with their audiences.   

Digital Storytelling in Research: A Systematic Review

The Digital storytelling in research is a qualitative report published in February 2017. The paper includes a review of the history and value of digital story telling as an arts based research method for generating data about important issues.

Ecological Validity and the Study of Publics: The Case for Organic Public Engagement Methods

Summary of academic paper critiquing experimental approaches to public engagement advocating instead an 'organic engagement' approach with 'ecological validation' which explores the context and mechanisms in which public's deliberations and opinions are formed. The paper is not open access however a comprehensive summary is given here. 

Guide: Participatory Action Research Toolkit

Guide: Coinquiry Toolkit

Guide: Performing Ethics: Using Participatory Theatre to Explore Ethical Issues in Community Based Participatory Research

Guide: Guide to the Ethics of Community Based Participatory Research

Guide: San people of Africa code of ethics for researchers

A code of ethics created by the San people of Africa for researchers wishing to study their culture.

Using Co-Inquiry to Study Co-Inquiry: Community-University Perspectives on Research

Banks, S. et al (2014). Using co-inquiry to study co-inquiry: community-university perspectives on research collaboration. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship 7(1).

Literature: People’s Knowledge and Participatory Action Research Book

Organisations that undertake research, engagement and policy work are dominated by white middle-class men. The basic question the book attempts to answer is: "what happens when these institutions attempt working with the rest of the world, which is different and diverse?”

Project Report: A puppet show to engage the community addressing antimicrobial resistance and research with children

Fishy Clouds, a puppet theatre show, was created to engage the community on issues of antimicrobial resistance and research with children in Thailand. Fishy Clouds ran for twelve shows during the months of November and December 2016 in schools, hospitals, theatres and health centres. The show was performed in Bangkok and in the greater Mae Sot area in the Tak district of Thailand.