Service user involvement in research can range from the extremes of being the subject, to being the initiator or investigator, of a research study. The activity of the professional researcher can also range from being the person undertaking the research, to being a partner with, or mentor to, service users. This broad scope of levels of involvement is reflected in the contributions in this book, both in the research experiences reported and in the writing of the chapters themselves. With contributions coming from a range of service areas including learning disabilities, cancer care, older people and mental illness, chapters look at important research issues such as: strategies for working in true partnership avoiding ‘tokenism’ involving service users at all stages of the research process communication and terminology involving service users of different ages and experience training needs of professionals and service users problems surrounding ‘payment’ for service users other ethical and practical issues. This book is invaluable reading for researchers in health and social care from academic, professional and service user backgrounds.

This book represents a major contribution to the development and increasingly accepted importance of involving service users in research. It argues that this development is neither a fad nor a cure-all, and highlights the strengths, weaknesses, benefits, and costs of the approach. Using reflexive questions and practical examples to challenge the reader to consider their own position in relation to these issues, this book should occupy a central place on the shelves of all undergraduate health and social welfare students.

This is a timely book, given the increasing emphasis on user participation in both research and health and social service provision, that can be read in conjunction with a more general book on research..."David Hicks, Liverpool John Moores University, UK User participation in research is still in its relative infancy with many practical, ethical, moral, methodological and philosophical questions unanswered. This text gathers together an international set of authors to explore these issues and begin to forge some practical solutions to each of these concerns. The book includes contributions on the use and application of narrative approaches, intervention and evaluation research, methodological development and quality thresholds. It provides a practical framework for all groups wishing to undertake research based on the principles and values of user participation. The book is structured around ten original case studies which explore the use of participatory methods in practice with a variety of groups across diverse health, social care and community settings. These include older people, including those with dementia, people with learning disability, mental health service users and their carers, and children and young people. Unique and often groundbreaking studies from Australia, Sweden, the UK, and the USA are used to illustrate application of theory to research practice. In addition the text: Considers the issues, challenges and rewards of user participation research Draws on the actual experience of doing research and working with users Includes the voices and contributions of users in reporting research User Participation in Health and Social Care Research: Voices, Values and Evaluationis key reading for students, researchers, practitioners and users themselves wishing to undertake participative research involving service users.

Divided into five parts, this practical book begins by considering what research with young people is and why we should do it, before leading the reader into how to undertake it. The book then provides practical examples of action and finishes with reflections about the whole process.

This book fills an important niche in the market providing practical expert advice on the involvement of service users - patients, carers and the public - in nursing and healthcare research. An invaluable guide for anyone working or involved in nursing and healthcare research, this book provides a step-by-step guide to the principles and process of involvement, including understanding the rationale for involvement, designing involvement, working with service users, and evaluating what has been achieved. With illustrations, worked examples and tool sheets throughout, this evidence-based guide uses real life examples from recent research studies in health and social care research, thus relating theory to practice in a meaningful way. The Handbook of Service User Involvement in Nursing & Healthcare Research introduces a wide range of key issues, including: Why? Why should researchers involve service users? How? How can researchers and service users work together successfully and productively? Who? Who chooses to become involved in research? How are issues of representation and diversity addressed? When? At what stage should service users be involved in the research process?

During recent decades a strong interest has grown in actively involving service users in social work education, research and policy development. Drawing on a major European Social Fund project, this book presents an overview of inspiring collaborative models that have proven their efficacy and sustainability. Contributions from service users, lecturers and researchers from across Europe provide detailed case studies of good practice, exploring the value framework behind the model and considering their added value from a user, teacher and student perspective. The book concludes with a series of reflective chapters, considering key issues and ethical dilemmas.

Social Care, Service Users and User Involvement provides a definitive introduction to practical, philosophical and theoretical issues at the heart of user involvement. This book provides an accessible account of the latest research findings regarding user involvement on three levels: the delivery and provision of services, practice and practitioners, and research and evaluation. It explores a wide range of service user needs and concerns, including the latest developments in personalisation and the effect of the Equality Act 2010. First-hand accounts illustrate the range of issues and service user needs which could be addressed by increased involvement within and beyond the social care system. The book also distinguishes between user views and user involvement, and addresses their processes outcomes and impact, as well as their measurement. This book will be a key source of information for care workers, service managers, policy makers, researchers, service users and social and health care professionals involved in social care and support service planning.

Written by a collection of experts in the field, this important new text provides a critical and constructive analysis of the ways in which service users and carers engage with health and social care services. Covering topics such as the importance of terminology, wellbeing and resilience and the notion of tokenism, and enhanced by a wealth of first-hand experiences and creative work by a range of service users and carers, the text examines how different forms of collaboration, participation and involvement (or lack of it) have contributed, and continue to contribute, to service development and the expansion of participant movements. With a strong focus on retrospective as well as prospective analysis, it encourages the reader to learn from both historical and current developments in service user and carer involvement in order to anticipate and inform future directions. This engaging and inspiring text is key reading for students on undergraduate and postgraduate social work programmes, as well as practitioners looking for a fresh new perspective.

‘The perfect text for any health care professional who wishes to gain a sound understanding of research...This text succeeds where others fail in terms of the thoroughness of the research process and the accessible style in which the material is presented. In an age when nursing and health care research is going from strength to strength this book offers those in the world of academia and practice an excellent and essential 'bible' that is a must on any bookshelf’ Dr Aisha Holloway, Lecturer Adult Health, Division of Nursing, The University of Nottingham ‘a book that helps you each step of the way. A very understandable and enjoyable publication’ Accident and Emergency Nursing Journal ‘key reference resource that students of research can use at various levels of study. It is comprehensive, user friendly and very easy to read and make sense of’ Gillian E Lang, Amazon reviewer The sixth edition of this book reflects significant developments in nursing research in recent years, ensuring the reader is provided with the very latest information on research processes and methods. It continues to explore how to undertake research as well as evaluating and using research findings in clinical practice, in a way that is suitable for both novice researchers and those with more experience. Divided into six sections, the chapters are ordered in a logical fashion that also allows the reader to dip in and out. The first two sections of the book provide a comprehensive background to research in nursing. The third section presents a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches, both new and well-established. The final three sections then look at collecting and making sense of the resulting data and putting the research findings into clinical practice. Summarises key points at the start of each chapter to guide you through Includes contributions from a wide range of experts in the field Accessible but doesn’t shrink away from complex debates and technical issues New to this edition: Accompanying website (www.wiley.com/go/gerrish) Ten completely new chapters including Narrative Research, Mixed Methods and Using Research in Clinical Practice ‘Research Example’ boxes from a wide variety of research types

This is the first text to examine the principal elements of service user involvement and participation across both adult and children′s services. A valuable learning resource, it draws together information from research, service users, carers and practitioners across both groups. In addition, it gives an overview of the specific knowledge, attitude and skills that social workers need for training at qualifying level and integrates theory with evidence to inform everyday social work practice. Furthermore, case studies and activities encourage reflection and the application of this knowledge to practice situations.