An important feature of impactful research can be the participation of partners from other sectors and settings in the design, conduct, and validation of research. There are numerous ways in which this participation can be built into a research project – for example, as co-designed research and collaborative data collection, analysis and reporting (such as in the case of commissioned and practice-based research); as consultative or advisory participation at different stages of the research process; or as user-driven dissemination and application of research. While co-production of research is not a guarantee of tangible change or benefits arising from it for the relevant groups, it is a powerful way of maximising the relevance of research to the needs of these groups and thus its potential to achieve impact.
Source: Oancea A (2011) Interpretations and practices of research impact across the range of disciplines. Oxford: University of Oxford.