Recruit participants to your research study
Find people with arthritis to participate in your research
People with arthritis are taking part in research every day, but it’s not always easy to find people for your study. This page aims to guide you through tips, resources and support to help you plan and deliver your recruitment.
Reach a diverse range of people
Think about how you will reach a diverse range of people (e.g. age, culture, ethnicity and disability) who represent the communities you hope to impact with your research. Understanding who lives with arthritis in the UK can help you make your research more relevant, accessible and inclusive.
State of MSK reportInvolve people with arthritis
Involving people with arthritis in developing and reviewing your approach, and the information you use to attract and recruit participants, can help make your research more relevant and accessible. Their experience and insight can also help you communicate your project clearly and keep people engaged.
Involvement supportUse clear, accessible language
Information about your research should be clear, accessible and easy for everyone to understand. Avoid jargon and technical terms where possible, and explain unfamiliar words in plain English. Using language that feels clear and welcoming can help participants understand your research and make informed decisions about taking part.
How using lay language helpsRecruit using NIHR's Be Part of Research
We work very closely with NIHR to signpost people with arthritis in our networks to sign up to Be Part of Research. This is the best way for you to access our research-ready networks of people with arthritis.
Over 92,000 volunteers with an interest in Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are registered and ready to take part in research.
Recruit to your study with Be Part of ResearchOther ways to find people to partcipate
- Snowball sampling – recruit among your immediate networks and then ask them to share with their networks.
- Ask your local NHS services and health professionals. It may be possible to target specific services/GP practices which work with communities you are interested in engaging with.
- Advertise on social media.
- Explore support and engagement with community organisations and patient groups. Read about how we and other charities support recruitment to clinical research through the Association of Medical Research Charities.
Arthritis UK support
Arthritis UK can advertise opportunities for people with arthritis to participate in our funded research on our website.
Get in touchResources
- Staying connected with your participants: This is a clear toolkit developed by Parkinson's UK on sharing updates with participants, including guides, templates, and guidance.
- SHOW RESPECT: This is an adaptable framework of considerations for planning how to share trial results with participants, and how to do it in appropriate ways.
- Podcast exploring the importance of sharing results with participants.
- Sharing clinical trial results with participants: important, expected and possible – Insight into the importance of, reasons to, and how to share clinical trial results with participants.
- MAPLE guidance: Creating accessible participant information leaflets.
Case study - COPPACA Community Outreach at Leeds Psoriasis Outreach unit
At the heart of Leeds City Centre, Dermatology and Rheumatology researchers from the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, hosted a research drop-in centre, providing patients with a private and confidential space to participate.
COPPACA case studyOther ways we can support your research
-
Open and future funding calls
We fund all stages of arthritis research: explore our current open funding opportunities and future funding calls key information.
-
Sign up for our researcher newsletter
Our quarterly research newsletter will keep you up to date on news from the Arthritis UK Research team.
-
Research involvement request form
Complete this form if you would like to access our lived experience voices/network to co-produce your research, get in touch whether you are funded by us or not, from industry or academia, we are here to help.
-
Your Rheum working with young people
We support Your Rheum, a UK-wide young persons' advisory group for people aged 11-24 years, who have volunteered to provide their thoughts, ideas and opinions on all stages of adolescent and young adult rheumatology research.