Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods
Abstract Background In the funding of health research and public health research it is vital that research questions posed are important and that funded research meets a research need or a gap in evidence. Many methods are used in the identification of research priorities, however, these can be reso...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Health Research Policy and Systems |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-017-0252-2 |
| _version_ | 1818258289045012480 |
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| author | S. Turner E. Ollerhead A. Cook |
| author_facet | S. Turner E. Ollerhead A. Cook |
| author_sort | S. Turner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In the funding of health research and public health research it is vital that research questions posed are important and that funded research meets a research need or a gap in evidence. Many methods are used in the identification of research priorities, however, these can be resource intensive, costly and logistically challenging. Identifying such research priorities can be particularly challenging for complex public health problems as there is a need to consult a number of experts across disciplines and with a range of expertise. This study investigated the use of Delphi-like survey methods in identifying important research priorities relating to health inequalities and framing tractable research questions for topic areas identified. Methods The study was conducted in two phases, both using Delphi-like survey methods. Firstly, public health professionals with an interest in health inequalities were asked to identify research priorities. Secondly academic researchers were asked to frame tractable research questions relating to the priorities identified. These research priorities identified using Delphi-like survey methods were subsequently compared to those identified using different methods. Results A total of 52 public health professionals and 21 academics across the United Kingdom agreed to take part. The response rates were high, from public health professionals across three survey rounds (69%, 50% and 40%) and from academics across one round (52%), indicating that participants were receptive to the method and motivated to respond. The themes identified as encompassing the most important research priorities were mental health, healthy environment and health behaviours. Within these themes, the topic areas that emerged most strongly included community interventions for prevention of mental health problems and the food and alcohol environment. Some responses received from academic researchers were (as requested) in the form of tractable research questions, whereas others contributed further potential topic areas instead. Conclusions Delphi-like survey methods are practical and productive as a means of obtaining opinions from a wide number of relevant experts identifying potential priority topic areas for research; however, this method is less appropriate for framing tractable research questions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:57:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8265a1b9266401ab924910a6ca1c16b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-4505 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T17:57:10Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Research Policy and Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8265a1b9266401ab924910a6ca1c16b2022-12-22T00:16:42ZengBMCHealth Research Policy and Systems1478-45052017-10-0115111010.1186/s12961-017-0252-2Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methodsS. Turner0E. Ollerhead1A. Cook2National Institute for Health Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC), University of SouthamptonWessex Institute, University of SouthamptonSouthampton University Hospitals TrustAbstract Background In the funding of health research and public health research it is vital that research questions posed are important and that funded research meets a research need or a gap in evidence. Many methods are used in the identification of research priorities, however, these can be resource intensive, costly and logistically challenging. Identifying such research priorities can be particularly challenging for complex public health problems as there is a need to consult a number of experts across disciplines and with a range of expertise. This study investigated the use of Delphi-like survey methods in identifying important research priorities relating to health inequalities and framing tractable research questions for topic areas identified. Methods The study was conducted in two phases, both using Delphi-like survey methods. Firstly, public health professionals with an interest in health inequalities were asked to identify research priorities. Secondly academic researchers were asked to frame tractable research questions relating to the priorities identified. These research priorities identified using Delphi-like survey methods were subsequently compared to those identified using different methods. Results A total of 52 public health professionals and 21 academics across the United Kingdom agreed to take part. The response rates were high, from public health professionals across three survey rounds (69%, 50% and 40%) and from academics across one round (52%), indicating that participants were receptive to the method and motivated to respond. The themes identified as encompassing the most important research priorities were mental health, healthy environment and health behaviours. Within these themes, the topic areas that emerged most strongly included community interventions for prevention of mental health problems and the food and alcohol environment. Some responses received from academic researchers were (as requested) in the form of tractable research questions, whereas others contributed further potential topic areas instead. Conclusions Delphi-like survey methods are practical and productive as a means of obtaining opinions from a wide number of relevant experts identifying potential priority topic areas for research; however, this method is less appropriate for framing tractable research questions.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-017-0252-2Research needResearch priorityResearch fundingDelphi-like methodsHealth inequalitiesComplex systems |
| spellingShingle | S. Turner E. Ollerhead A. Cook Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods Health Research Policy and Systems Research need Research priority Research funding Delphi-like methods Health inequalities Complex systems |
| title | Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods |
| title_full | Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods |
| title_fullStr | Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods |
| title_short | Identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities: use of Delphi-like survey methods |
| title_sort | identifying research priorities for public health research to address health inequalities use of delphi like survey methods |
| topic | Research need Research priority Research funding Delphi-like methods Health inequalities Complex systems |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12961-017-0252-2 |
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