Abstract

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.

It is the first text to analyze the involvement of service users from the conception of a research idea to the finish of the project. The author critically considers why service users even bother getting involved, and goes on to explore ethical issues, covering key topics such as:

- the practice of service-user research; research conception, recruitment, training, development of research tools, data collection, analysis, writing up, dissemination and endings

- barriers to involvement and the limitations of service-user research, with

practical advice on how these can be addressed

- both sameness and difference in relation to involving young people in

research

- alternative futures for involving service users in research.

Using reflexive questions and practical examples to challenge the reader to consider his/her 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. It is also crucial reading for those studying postgraduate professional qualifications and research methods, and for practitioner researchers and policy staff considering the best ways of undertaking meaningful service user involvement.