Table 1 List of research methodologies

Questionnaires

Nonintrusive questionnaire study

Intrusive questionnaire study

Validated clinical questionnaire study, e.g. with the possibility of being used to make a clinical diagnosis

Interviews

Nonintrusive interview telephone (audio only)

Nonintrusive interview online (video and audio)

Nonintrusive interview face to face

Intrusive interview telephone (audio only)

Intrusive interview online (video and audio)

Intrusive interview face to face

Focus groups

Nonintrusive focus group remote (video conferencing)

Nonintrusive focus group face to face

Intrusive focus group remote (video conferencing)

Intrusive focus group face to face

Intervention studies

Minor psychological or behavioural intervention study, e.g. subtle (designed to be unnoticed) changes to surroundings or ways information is presented or services delivered

Major psychological or behavioural intervention study, e.g. overt changes to surroundings or how information is presented or services delivered

Clinical psychology/psychiatry intervention study, e.g. involving the care of participants with diagnosed mental health conditions

Physiological intervention study, e.g. different exercise regimens

Clinical/drug studies

Randomised nondrug clinical study (e.g. different patient groups assigned to different therapies)

Phase I clinical trial (“first-in-man” administration of a new drug compound to around 20 people to test safety)

Phase II clinical trial (to determine if the drug works (efficacy), usually in about 200 people)

Phase III clinical trial (larger test of efficacy and acceptability, usually in about 2000 people)

Phase IV clinical trial (post-marketing studies, usually long term once drug is being prescribed/used regularly)

Genetic research

Whole genome sequencing (where the whole genetic code unique to an individual will be determined)

Genetic testing (small number of genes/markers) with no clinical significance (i.e. related to hair colour, general exercise performance)

Genetic testing (small number of genes/markers) with clinical significance (e.g. related to potential/current diseases)

Observational studies

Observational study in public spaces, e.g. train stations, in parks

Observational study in private space, e.g. in hospital wards, classrooms

Data studies

Anonymous secondary data analysis (analysing previously collected data sets without being able to identify who the data comes from)

Identifiable secondary data analysis (analysing previously collected data sets and being able to identify who the data comes from)

Anonymous secondary analysis of healthcare data

Identifiable secondary analysis of healthcare data