The study reported here draws mainly on the BRACE portfolio of evaluations, supplemented by a focused review of literature and interviews with NHS policy- and decision-makers at national and sub-national levels in England.
The ways in which BRACE researchers sought to ensure appropriate representation and reflection of diverse population groups in individual evaluations is described in the corresponding report of each of the individual evaluations, and they are published in the NIHR Journals Library. Overall, BRACE researchers in each evaluation have used a range of strategies to promote inclusivity. For example, the team offered interviewees different modes of interview [in person, telephone or online via Microsoft Teams or Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, San Jose, CA, USA)] and different times depending on participants’ preferences to ensure accessibility for as many people as possible given workforce and work-life balance constraints.