Incorporation of Patient and Public Involvement in Statistical Methodology Research: Development of an Animation

Abstract

Abstract Background: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is important to all aspects of health research. However, there are few examples of successful PPI in statistical methodology research. One of the reasons for this relates to challenges in the identification of individuals interested in statistical methods, and ambiguities over the importance of PPI to these projects. Methods: This project was conducted between August 2022 and August 2023. The aim is to report the process of the development of an accessible animation to describe what statistical methodology is and the importance of PPI in methods-based projects. For this, we combined storyboarding and scriptwriting with feedback from PPI members and researchers. Results: After three stages that incorporated feedback from the relevant stakeholders, we produced a final animation about PPI in statistical methodology. The resulting animation used minimal text, simple animation techniques and was of short duration (< 3 minutes) to optimise the communication of the key messages clearly and effectively. Conclusions: The resulting animation provides a starting point for members of the public to learn about PPI in statistical methodology and for methodologists who wish to conduct PPI. We recommend further work to explore ways in which members of the public can be more meaningfully involved in methodology research.