Peer Review

Understanding Research in the Medical Field: For Patients and the Public

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Reviewed:: Jan 24, 2026 by Health Sciences

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

Understanding Research in the Medical Field is an Open Educational Resource (OER) developed to support patient and public partners who wish to engage more meaningfully in health research. This OER aims to offer a practical solution in Manitoba, where no single tool currently supports partners in navigating the complexities of the research process. By offering clear explanations, local examples, and plain-language definitions, the resource aims to build confidence and foster stronger collaboration between communities and researchers. Content is organized around two key areas: the foundational components of research, such as study phases, research types, and data collection methods; and the broader research ecosystem, including research teams, funding structures, and ethical guidelines.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

General undergraduate students
Undergraduate health students and patients
Community members, or anyone curious about research, with a focus specifically on Manitoba, Canada (e.g., community education)

Technical Requirements:

Internet access
Web browser

Identify Major Learning Goals:

After active engagement with the material, the learner will

Understand key research concepts and methods
Recognize the various roles within a research team
Learn how research is planned, conducted and shared
Appreciate the value and impact of meaningful patient and public involvement
Gain insight into the ethical and funding frameworks that support research

Target Student Population:

Patients and the public

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Concepts and content are both appropriate and well explained.
Content is supported by references.
The use in application could be flexible, from individualized to group discussion.
Very clear introduction to research in the medical field.

Concerns:

Section II focuses specifically on research ethics and funding in Manitoba, Canada. Accordingly, Section II is most useful only to those seeking information on that specific geographic location, or perhaps as an example of the research context in a specific Canadian province. But Section II is less useful for those seeking a more general overview of research ethics and funding applicable in a range of contexts.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

This OER is intended for patients and the public and not for the education of healthcare providers. The information is basic and simplified.
The learning objectives are clearly stated in the introduction, and the introduction makes clear that it is a resource for anyone curious about research with no prerequisite knowledge.
Each individual section could be incorporated into a course as a stand-alone resource. For example, Section I provides an excellent stand-alone introduction to health research methods. And Section III provides an excellent stand-alone overview of patient and public involvement (PPI) in research.
The table of contents, clear headings, and diagrams make it easy to access information efficiently.

Concerns:

There is a lack of assurance of conceptual understanding. For example, reflective questions, short quizzes, and examples of how to apply the information.
This is simple, basic-level information for laypersons and not at the level of a health sciences professional.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

There is a consistent layout that includes headers, working links to websites, and references; the software is easy to use.
This text presents complex topics in medical research in a way that someone with no prior technical background could not only understand but also find relevant and engaging. And that is not an easy task.
The content is well organized, and it uses sequential headings and diagrams effectively to break down the different types and phases of research.
Text is selectable.

Concerns:

Alt text was not entered; artificial intelligence substituted alt text, which was visible under inspection, but it did not always fit the image. For example, 1.2 Understanding Research image of primary studies, the alt text did not fit.
A recommendation is to add alt text that describes the image, or to include the exact information from the image in the text. Captions under the images are another solution.

Other Issues and Comments:: This book includes four sections. Sections I, III, and IV provide foundational overviews of different aspects of research in the medical field, generally applicable across a range of contexts and countries. Section I introduces different study designs and their applications. Section III provides an overview of public and patient involvement (PPI) in research, and Section IV introduces knowledge translation and outlines dissemination of research. Section II discusses ethical, funding, and regulatory considerations, with a specific focus on Manitoba, Canada. Accordingly, users outside of this location may need to supplement Section II with other materials covering ethical oversight, funding, and regulatory agencies applicable to research in their locations.
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