Commenting on research
Members of the public are invited to comment on HTA research in two different ways: on the briefing papers (vignettes) that set out the research problem to be addressed, and by peer reviewing the plan for doing the research (the research proposal).
Commenting on vignettes
Vignettes are short briefing papers (around six pages) that summarise the background to a research question. They detail the importance of the health problem, the current evidence base, and the cost of the intervention, to help inform those deciding on the importance of the research question.
Members of the public are asked to comment on vignettes in order to highlight issues that are important to patients or people using NHS services. They are asked to make comments based on their own knowledge and experience but particularly focusing the comments on the following:
- whether the research question is the right one and matters to members of the public
- whether it is looking at the right aspects of the health condition or problem
- what are the important areas where the research topic should make a difference
Peer review
Peer review (also known as refereeing) is critical to ensure the quality of HTA-funded research. In peer review, carefully selected people not directly connected with the piece of research are asked to comment on the plan for doing the research (the research proposal), to provide suggestions for ways the work could be improved.
The HTA programme seeks peer reviewers from many different areas of expertise, including doctors and nurses, health care researchers, and members of the public. Each perspective is important to the peer review process, and members of the public are particularly well placed to provide an insight into patients' views about health care, their needs for information and support, and patients' relevant experiences in health care settings and everyday life.
The HTA programme is constantly seeking service users to act as vignette advisors and peer reviewers. If you feel you could help, please complete the form below and return it via email to htaid@southampton.ac.uk. Information is available on how the HTA programme uses the term public.
Potential new lay advisor application form (doc, 52kb)
We have developed guidelines and other useful resources to help members of the public working as peer reviewers; these are available to download or link to on the right hand side of this page.
Payment for members of the public advising the HTA programme
A Department of Health approved scale of fees payable to members of the public advising the HTA programme has been introduced.
- for attendance at a committee meeting (eg: a panel meeting) a daily rate of £150 - provided the member is not in receipt of a full time salary from public funds.
- for peer reviewing: £50 for commenting on a vignette; £125 for commenting on a set of proposals
We also involve clinical experts and the research community in reviewing our work. Find out more.
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