Glossary

Collaborating Partner:
An organisation that works with the centre on a research project. They bring expertise, share resources, or take on specific responsibilities to help achieve the project’s goals.
Evidence Synthesis:
The process of bringing together findings from multiple studies to get a clearer picture of what the overall evidence says. It helps the centre make sense of large amounts of research to guide decisions on health and care policies.
Executive Summary:
A short, focused summary of the main points of a research report. It’s designed for decision-makers who need the key facts quickly to guide their actions.
Impact:
The difference the centre’s research makes in the real world. This could include helping to inform a policy or practice, improving healthcare, or helping the public understand important issues more clearly.
Infographic:
A visual way to explain complex information or data using images, charts, and simple text. The centre uses these to make research findings easier to understand and more engaging for everyone.
Knowledge Mobilisation:
Making sure the centre’s research outputs get to the right people in the right format at the right time. This helps to inform decisions and support evidence informed policy and practice. Knowledge mobilisation of findings can be through sharing and publishing reports, presentations, infographics, or other means.
Lay Summary:
A simple, clear explanation of a research project or its findings, written in everyday language so that non-experts can easily understand it.
Patient and Public Group (PPG):
A group made up of patients or members of the public who help shape the centre’s work. They provide feedback to ensure the research reflects real-world needs and priorities.
Primary Research:
New research which includes developing a method and collecting and analysing data. This is different from looking at or analysing already-published studies (evidence synthesis).
Public Involvement and Engagement:
When members of the public, including patients, play an active role in research. They help guide what the research focuses on and communicate its findings to a wider audience.
Rapid Evidence Map:
A broad overview of the breadth and type of research evidence available on a particular topic or research question. It helps identify what we know and where there are gaps that need more research, usually completed in approximately one month.
Rapid Evidence Summary:
A brief overview of the best available research on a specific topic. These summaries are designed to give useful insights quickly, helping policymakers and practitioners make informed decisions without delay. Typically completed in around two weeks.
Rapid Review:
A quicker, more targeted version of a full systematic review. It uses simplified methods to provide a summary of existing knowledge on a topic, helping to support decisions in a timely manner.  Typically completed within approximately three months.
Science Policy and Practice Interface (SPPI):
A way to connect science with policy and practice. The centre uses SPPI to make sure research findings are shared and applied in real-world settings, helping to solve practical problems and inform policies.
Stakeholder:
Someone who has an interest in the centre’s research or projects. This could include researchers, people involved in making health or social care decisions, or members of the public who may have a research evidence need, collaborate with us, and use or be affected by the findings.
Work Programme:
A plan that outlines what research tasks will be done, when they’ll be completed, and what they aim to achieve. It helps the centre stay organised and focused on delivering high-quality research.