Below are some of the questions we are frequently asked by researchers and members of the public interested in public involvement in research.
Several organisations are actively involving children and young people in research and have information and resources on their websites:
The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) www.mcrn.org.uk/children/design
National Children’s Bureau Research Centre (NCB). Includes information on a 2011 conference on young people’s involvement in research and projects involving children and young people: www.ncb.org.uk/policy-evidence/research-centre/involving-young-people-in-research including:
Participation Works. Information on children and young people’s participation including downloadable versions of NCB and PEAR guidelines, ‘how to’ guides including ‘creative methods’ and ‘reward and recognition’, and a guide and toolkit for evaluating participation with children and young people: www.participationworks.org.uk
Children’s Research Centre. Supports child-led research: http://childrens-research-centre.open.ac.uk
Young Researcher Network. Includes toolkit to support young people-led research www.nya.org.uk/integrated-youth-support-services/young-researcher-network
Children’s Rights Alliance for England: www.crae.org.uk
INVOLVE has published: A guide to involving children and young people in research
Visit our Putting it into Practice library and search for children and young people to find out what others have written.
Consider how best to reach people with the different perspectives you need. You could:
Allow plenty of time to make contact with organisations and individuals as finding people nearly always takes longer than you think.