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EQUATE: Barriers and facilitators to EQUitable pArticipation and engagement in research using digiTal mEthods: A qualitative exploration with the public, patients, and staff

Abstract

Digital methods (hereby referred to as digital) use technology (such as mobile applications) to allow participants to take part in research from their homes. However, it is well known that some groups are under-served in research, and it is these same groups that are most at risk of not being able to fully take part in research that uses digital.
If digital is a barrier to trial participation in different groups, then research findings will not represent their needs and they may suffer poorer health outcomes.

The purpose of this project is to record real-life experiences of members of the public that have used, or chosen not to use, digital, to understand what can be done to make it easier for those wanting to use it and to explore solutions to improve digital for different groups wanting to take part in the research.

Aim

To explore the potential effect of research that uses digital methods on participation and engagement in different population groups.

Project Lead

Cherish Boxall
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7850-233X

Project Collaborators

Shaun Treweek
Katherine Bradbury
Flis Bishop
Gareth Griffiths
Nisreen Alwan

Contact Project Author

Keywords

decentralised; digital; equality; experience; interview; participant; public; research

URL

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/ctu/trialportfolio/listoftrials/equate.page

Research Area(s)

Data collection processes; Design and conduct of studies; Digital tools; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion​​; Experiences of research participants; Recruitment and retention

Other Areas: digitally-enabled research, decentralised trials, EDI

Study Design(s)

Qualitative research; Questionnaire, interview or observation study

Other Designs: WP1: Interviews with up to 50 research participants WP2: User testing with up to 50 members of the public WP3: Focus groups with staff involved in the development or application of digital participant-facingsoftware

Data Collection Method(s)

Qualitative

Participant(s)

General public; Other; Patients; Public contributors; Researchers

Status

Active

Expected completion date: March 31, 2027

Stage

Data analysis; Data collection; Protocol development; Publication (writing, submitting, in review, published); Study is complete and only conducting dissemination activities (e.g., stakeholder engagement, presentations, conferences and seminars, social media campaigns)

Study Funding/Support

Study funded through a grant

Other(s): NIHR funded Doctoral Fellowship

Dissemination Activity/Activities

Conferences; Publications (all types); Seminars or workshops; Stakeholder engagement