Checklist - Why involve consumers in research?

Consumers have been involved in research and development for many years and in many different ways.  This involvement can be at any stage - setting the research agenda, commissioning research, undertaking research, interpreting research or disseminating the results of research.  There are many reasons for involving consumers in research including:

• Consumers can help to ensure that issues which are important to consumers are identified and prioritised.
• The involvement of consumers can help to ensure that money and resources aren’t wasted on research that has little or no relevance.
• Consumers can help to ensure that research doesn’t just measure outcomes that are identified and considered important by professionals.
• Consumers can help with the recruitment of their peers.
• Consumers can access people who are often marginalised, such as people from minority ethnic communities.
• Consumers can disseminate the results of research and work to ensure that changes are implemented. 

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This page was last updated 19th August 2003.