Learn about research
What is health research?
Health research asks and answers questions about health, illness and healthcare.
- Preventing illness
- Diagnosing health conditions
- Treating or managing illness
- Supporting people to live well
- Improving healthcare services in hospitals and communities
It can help improve things like:
The aim is to learn something useful that can improve health and care for people now and in the future.
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What does health research involve?
Health research can happen in many ways. It might include:
- Speaking to patients, carers or community members
- Testing a new treatment or service
- Reviewing existing care
- Looking at health data
- Working with communities to understand what matters to them
- Sharing findings in ways people can understand and use
Different projects need different types of support.
What is a research participant?
A research participant is someone who agrees to take part in a research study.
They may be asked to:
- Answer questions
- Share information about their health or experiences
- Try a treatment, service or activity as part of a study
- Attend appointments or interviews
- Complete surveys or forms
Researchers should always explain what the study involves before someone decides whether to take part.
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Is being a research participant the same as getting involved in research?
Being a research participant usually means taking part in a study.
No. They are different.
Getting involved in research means working with researchers to help shape the research. This could include helping decide what questions are asked, how people are invited to take part, or how findings are shared.
Both are important.
