Glossary

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A

Academic publication

A research paper or article published in an academic journal.

Anonymised data

Information where an individual's identity cannot be identified.

Applied research

Research designed to help solve real-world problems and improve health and care.

Applied Research Collaboration (ARC)

A partnership of researchers, communities and health and care organisations working together to improve health and care services through applied research.

ARC South West

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration covering the South West, bringing together researchers, health and care organisations and communities.

Assent

Agreeing to take part in research by someone who cannot legally give formal informed consent, such as a child or a person with a severe cognitive disability.

C

Capacity building

Developing people's skills, knowledge and confidence so they can take part in or carry out research and improvement work.

Carer

Someone who provides unpaid/paid care or support to another person, usually a friend, family member or neighbour.

Co-production

Developing something together with the people who will use it or are affected by it.

Commissioner

An organisation or person responsible for planning and arranging health and care services for a population.

Comorbidity

Having two or more health conditions at the same time.

Confidentiality

Keeping people's personal information private and only using or sharing it appropriately.

Cost-effectiveness

Comparing the costs of something with the benefits it produces to help determine whether it represents good value.

D

Data

Information collected during research, such as answers to questions, measurements or records.

Data analysis

Looking at and interpreting the information collected during research.

Dissemination

Sharing research findings with other people, organisations or communities.

E

Ethical approval

Formal approval that a research study meets the required ethical standards before it begins.

Evaluation

A process of finding out whether a programme, service or intervention has worked and what difference it has made.

Evidence

Information from research and other reliable sources to help understand what works.

Evidence synthesis

Bringing together the findings from several research studies to understand what they collectively tell us.

Evidence-based / evidence-informed

Using the best available research evidence to help make decisions about care or services.

F

Frailty

A state where someone's health and ability to cope with illness or other challenges have become more vulnerable.

G

Grant funding

Money provided to support a research project or programme.

H

Health and care services

Services that support people's health and wellbeing, including the NHS, social care and community services.

Health economics

Research into the costs and benefits of different treatments, services or approaches.

Health equity

Making sure everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve good health and recognising that different people may need different support.

Health inequalities

Differences in people's health that are often linked to factors such as where they live, income, education or access to services.

Health Innovation Network

Organisations that help health and care services use new ideas, health technologies, medical devices and evidence to improve care.

I

Impact

The difference that research makes to people's lives, services, policy or practice.

Implementation

Putting research findings, treatments or approaches into everyday practice.

Implementation science

Research into how we can successfully put evidence and new approaches into everyday health and care.

Inclusive research

Research designed to involve and benefit people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

Integrated care

Different health and care services working together to provide more coordinated support.

Integrated Care Board (ICB)

An organisation responsible for planning health services across a local area in England.

Intervention

An action introduced or provided to try to improve health or change an outcome.

Intervention fidelity

How closely an intervention is delivered in the way it was originally designed.

J

Journal

A publication containing research papers and other academic articles.

K

Knowledge broker

Someone who helps connect research and evidence with the people and organisations who can use it.

Knowledge mobilisation

Sharing and using research knowledge so that it can influence decisions, services and practice.

L

Lived experience

Knowledge gained through someone's own personal experience of a health condition, service or situation.

Long-term condition

A health condition that usually lasts for a long time and may need ongoing management.

M

Methodology

The overall approach used to design and carry out research.

Mixed-methods research

Research that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches.

N

NHS collaboration

Different NHS organisations or teams working together towards a shared goal.

NHS Trust

An organisation that provides NHS services, such as hospitals, mental health services or community care.

NIHR

The National Institute for Health and Care Research, which funds and supports health and care research in England.

O

Operational research

Using data, mathematics and analytical methods to help organisations make better decisions and use resources effectively.

Outcome

A change or result measured in a research study, such as someone's health, wellbeing or quality of life.

P

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

Involving patients and members of the public in research. For instance, involving them in how a study is designed.

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)

Involving and engaging patients, carers, service users and members of the public in research.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM)

A questionnaire or measure completed by a patient about their own health, symptoms or quality of life.

Peer review

A process where other experts assess research before it is published or funded.

Population health

The health of a whole group or population and the factors that affect it.

Prevention

Actions that aim to stop illness or health problems happening or reduce their impact.

Process evaluation

Looking at how an intervention was delivered and what happened while it was being implemented.

Public health

Work that aims to improve and protect the health of whole communities and populations, rather than only focusing on individual patients.

Q

Qualitative research

Research that explores people's experiences, views and perspectives, often through interviews or focus groups.

Quality Improvement (QI)

A structured approach to making health and care services better.

Quantitative research

Research that collects and analyses numerical information, such as measurements, survey results or statistics.

R

Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)

A study where people are randomly placed into different groups so researchers can compare treatments or approaches fairly.

Research

A structured way of finding out new information or to answer a question.

Research ethics

Principles and rules that help ensure research is carried out responsibly and that it protects the people involved.

Research findings

What researchers discovered through their study.

Research impact

The changes or benefits that happen because of research.

Research inclusion

Making sure people from different backgrounds and communities have opportunities to take part in and benefit from research.

Research methods

The approaches and techniques researchers use to carry out a study.

Research participant

Someone who takes part in a research study.

Research project

Another term for a specific piece of research.

Research protocol

A detailed plan explaining how a research study will be carried out.

Research question

The specific question that researchers are trying to answer.

Research study

A planned piece of research designed to answer a particular question.

Research team

The group of people working together to carry out a research project.

Research theme

A broad area that brings together related research projects and expertise.

Research translation

Turning research findings into something that can be used in practice, policy or services.

Researcher

Someone who carries out research to answer a question or investigate an issue.

S

Service improvement

Making changes to health or care services to make them work better for patients, staff or communities.

Service users

People who use or receive health, social care or other support services.

Stakeholder

A person or organisation with an interest in a research project or service.

Systematic review

A structured search for and assessment of all relevant research on a particular question.

U

Under-served communities

Groups of people who may experience poorer access to health and care services or research opportunities.

W

Workforce development

Training and supporting health and care staff to develop their knowledge and skills.