Research design

This section is a collection of existing content that is intended to signpost and further support research design in a way that will demonstrate thorough EDIW consideration.

Every aspect of the research pipeline is at risk of bias and offers opportunities for increasing diversity and inclusivity: 

  • Project background and hypothesis e.g. bias in sources of supporting literature 
  • Research plan e.g. awareness of the impact on participants and their families, local populations, environment, impact on the research team and/or support staff such as placements field trips, travel 
  • Data acquisition e.g. bias in cell lines, -omics databases, human or animal subjects, source of plant or environmental samples 
  • Sharing of data e.g. accessibility by researchers in LMICs 
  • Impact e.g. limited local impact or global 
  • Communicating results e.g. accessibility, and inclusiveness of materials on a website 
  • Public engagement e.g. increase the diversity of the cohorts, review accessibility (venue, resources, food, and drink) inclusiveness including language and imagery 
  • Output dissemination e.g. authorship recognise all contributions including technical support 

The Inclusive Research Collective ran a series of online events that explored biased and exclusionary practices in life sciences research and how to overcome these to achieve equitable and representative science.  Four aspects were covered: basic research, working with human participants, data science, and the environmental impact of research. 

Watch the Inclusive Research Collective's seminar series. 

How do I demonstrate that I have considered identity factors in my application? 

  • Are sex (biological) considerations taken into account in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or dissemination of research findings? (Y/N) 
  • Are gender (sociocultural) considerations taken into account in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or dissemination of research findings? (Y/N) 
  • Are race and ethnicity considerations taken into account in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or dissemination of research findings? (Y/N) 
  • If the research is using population/sample data, can that data be disaggregated by identity factors to determine differences between groups? (Y/N) 
  • Is there diversity in the work consulted and referenced in supporting/secondary research? (Y/N) 
  • Are other identity factors taken into account in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or dissemination of research findings? (Y/N) 
  • Does the research engage or involve Indigenous Peoples using best practices and established guidelines? (Y/N) For best practices, see Resources below 
  • If you answer "Yes" to any of these questions: Describe how identity factors will be considered in your research proposal 
  • If you answer "No" for one or more questions: Explain why identity factors are not applicable in your research proposal. 

For researchers whose work involves patients and/or healthy individuals, the NIHR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit has some excellent resources. This includes reflective questions that aid the design of your research methodology, which are relevant to Health and Biosciences related research even if your funder is not NIHR - see specifically under Data Collection, Data Analysis, Selection of Participants, Sites and Samples, Dissemination and Implementation. 

The For Equity Guidance Inventory includes guidance on systematic reviews, randomised trials, implementation studies and various reporting guidelines. This was developed by the NIHR School for Public Health Research and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. 

The Government of Canada has developed a very comprehensive guide for applicants, which is also cross-referenced in UKRI documentation regarding EDIW. This online guide has the following list of questions that are particularly helpful to check against whilst developing your research design. The content below is extracted from the relevant section of the Government of Canada website. 

Useful links

 

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