Work

Promoting Inclusivity in Research: Lessons From Four Group Concept Mapping Studies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Many key groups of people (e.g., older people, disabled people and minoritised people) are at risk of being excluded from research, which will affect the generalisability, quality, relevance, and integrity of the research findings and conclusions. However, ways of making research more inclusive have not been adequately explored. Appropriate strategies to maximise the participation of marginalised populations with diverse viewpoints, expertise, and experience are needed to enable them to make meaningful contributions. In this article, we draw lessons from four case studies that used Group Concept Mapping (a type of participatory, consensus research to generate agreement around a topic of interest within a group, community or society). We reflect on how our research was adapted to engage people with diverse needs (e.g., older/frail people, disabled people, people with language barriers, bilingual participants, and people lacking digital skills) in research. This paper highlights the importance of participatory, time and resources, ethical, and intersectionality considerations to enable marginalised populations to be heard and make significant contributions to research.

Source: International Journal of Qualitative Methods

DOI: 10.1177/16094069251329732

Authors: Juping Yu, Megan Elliott, Molly Curtis, David Pontin, Sarah Wallace, Carolyn Wallace

Institutions: University of South Wales, Cwm Taf University Health Board

Language: English

Topic: Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,650