Participant in Research Experience Survey
The Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) is carried out to give research participants an opportunity to provide feedback based on their experience, and to make suggestions about how we can make taking part in research even better in the future.
Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES)
If you have taken part in a research study, we would love to find out more about your experience.
Participants are able to complete either paper or digital surveys. The survey collects information about a participant's study and site so that the responses can be shared with the relevant study teams.
Responses are anonymous, but will be displayed publicly on the results page. Comments will be shared with participating organisations in order to help them identify ways to improve research for patients.
For Research Participants
You can complete a digital Participant in Research Experience Survey below:
Alternatively, you may be provided with a paper version by your research team that you can fill out in person.
In order to complete the survey, you will need to enter the name of the research study you participated in, as well as the site at which you took part in the study. Your research team will be able to provide you with this information.
Are you interested in getting more involved in research? Find out more about NIHR projects and services below.
Be Part of Research: The Be Part of Research service lets you search for research studies to take part in.
Join Dementia Research: The Join Dementia Research service lets you register your interest in taking part in dementia research.
Research Champions: Research Champions are patients, carers and members of the public who work with us to improve research.
For Research Professionals
Digital PRES
PRES can be accessed digitally via two different routes, or a combination of the two, depending on your preferences. We urge you to consider which approach will generate the most comprehensive data from participants.
Find out more about the two digital routes below:
Manual entry of study information
Participants can be given a link (such as a URL) that directs them to the generic PRES survey. With this option, participants are required to manually enter identifying information (site code, study name, study ID/CPMS number).
These pieces of information are used to link PRES resources to sites and surveys so that they can be accurately attributed within the PRES dashboard. If these fields are left blank, the responses cannot be attributed and therefore neither display on the dashboard, nor can be counted as part of our responses.
As a research professional, you are required to provide research participants with this identifiable information.
Access the generic digital PRES surveys below:
Bespoke QR codes and URLs
It can be difficult to ensure that participants fill out the correct site and study information when completing the generic PRES surveys. Therefore, we have developed an alternate delivery model that automates these required fields. It works in the following way:
Study teams complete a short form to request a bespoke QR code and URL, providing site and study details.
The bespoke QR codes and URLs are created, and provided to relevant the study team.
When a participant uses these unique QR codes and URLs, the digital PRES survey will not display the site and study information questions. These are instead automatically completed without the participant needing to enter that information.
Participants use the QR code and URL to access the survey. When completed, the response is automatically added to the dashboard and attributed to the correct site and study.
This approach makes completing the surveys a lot easier for both staff and participants, and ensures that the responses will be accurately attributed on our results dashboard.
Paper PRES
To request paper PRES, sites/study teams need to fill out a short form, which can be found here:
Successful delivery of PRES relies on collecting accurate information about the site and study, so that they can be accurately attributed within the PRES dashboard. If these fields are left blank, the responses cannot be attributed and therefore neither display on the dashboard, nor can be counted as part of our responses.
If you are unsure about what site ID to include, please access a list of sites here.
Surveys are then handed out to research participants who are asked to complete it. The survey consists of a single piece of paper that can be folded up, sealed and either handed back to a member of staff, placed into a collection box, or posted directly to the PRES processing centre.
PRES Resources
We want to ensure that our PRES delivery partners are provided with all of the necessary materials to help promote PRES to research participants.
We have the following resources available to you:
Google Forms to request paper PRES.
Google Forms to request bespoke QR code and URL for a specific study.
Bespoke QR codes which we can be delivered as posters (A4) or leaflets (A5).
Business cards with bespoke QR code for a high turnover study which can be completed by participants in their own time.
If you have a query regarding PRES resources, please contact a member of the Communications & Engagement team.
PRES Results
Find out more about the PRES results dashboard, which we use to display survey results in real-time.
PRES factsheet.pdf