Research User Group Newsletter Keele University RUG Summer newsletter 2018 | Page 24

24 RESEARCH RESEARCH Distress in Older Adults “The guidance ranged from creative feedback to modifying the wording of text. In addition, to create discussion within the interviews me and a RUG group created two storyboards.” For more information about the study, please contact: [email protected] 25 Story boards developed by RUG members Alice Moult, a PhD student from the Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, reflects on how the RUG has influenced her PhD research. “My PhD explores how older adults self-manage their distress, with a particular focus on if the Internet could help. I have gained advice from the RUG at many stages of my research. When I was deciding what to research the RUG helped to shape my research questions, they listened to my re search priorities whilst also ensuring the right research questions were being asked, with one member saying; ‘self-management was a good research area as self-responsibility of health should be encouraged.’ The RUG group also gave me feedback on the qualitative methods I used and provided advice on the topic guide used within the interviews, study recruitment materials (e.g posters and leaflets) and participant consent forms. The guidance ranged from creative feedback to modifying the wording of text. In addition, to create discussion within the interviews me and a RUG group created two storyboards which depicted one positive and one negative encounter with an online forum. The RUG helped to ensure the storyboards were relevant to distressed older adults and helped to co-create the pictures, characters and text used. Catherine has just lost her husband and is feeling lonely and thinking about the future makes her stressed. Catherine decides to look on the internet for help. Catherine signs up to an online forum and finds a supportive environment to discuss her problems and gets helpful advice about how to deal with grief. Catherine’s mood has improved after a positive experience using an online forum. Peter’s GP diagnoses Peter with depression and offers him some medication. Peter doesn’t want to take the medication. The GP gives Peter some health information leaflets which suggest going online to access information and support. Peter joins an online forum where unhelpful advice was given, Peter was told it was his fault he was feeling this way and he should “pull himself together.” Peter doesn’t feel much better, and is not sure what to do. Peter worries about going back to see his GP. In terms of analysing the data, the RUG provided their perspectives on quotes taken from interview transcripts, this helped to ensure the trustworthiness of the interpretation of the data. The RUG group also helped to create a dissemination plan of who I should show the results too, which is helpful to ensure the results have an impact outside of the academic context. The journey I’ve had with the RUG has ensured that the PhD research reflected the views of the public and has produced results that shine a light on an unsaturated field of research.” Peter has been feeling low for a while. He decides to go and see his GP.