Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development (SEED) Method for Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development and Prioritization [Methods Study], Richmond and Martinsville, Virginia, 2014-2019 (ICPSR 39564)

Version Date: Nov 24, 2025

Cite this study |

Principal Investigator(s):
Emily B. Zimmerman, Virginia Commonwealth University

https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39564.v1

Version V1

Slide tabs to view more

Summary

In this project, the study team created a method of setting research agendas called Stakeholder Engagement in quEstion Development, or the SEED (Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development) Method. These agendas help identify research topics and questions that are important to study. The team tested the SEED Method at two sites in Virginia. The team wanted to learn if the method developed research agendas that reflected differing views and if people were satisfied with the process.

Using the SEED Method, the study team gathered input from three sets of people at each site:

  • Research Team. Community members and staff from local colleges who worked with the study team to lead the project
  • Topic Groups. Three groups of people who developed research questions. Each group had people with a type of viewpoint, such as patients, health professionals, or research funders. The groups worked independently with the Research Team.
  • Stakeholder Consultants. Patients and health professionals with knowledge of the research topic who took part in interviews and group discussions

To access the methods please visit the The SEED Method for Stakeholder Engagement website.

Citation

Zimmerman, Emily B. Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development (SEED) Method for Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development and Prioritization [Methods Study], Richmond and Martinsville, Virginia, 2014-2019. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2025-11-24. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39564.v1

Export Citation:

  • RIS (generic format for RefWorks, EndNote, etc.)
  • EndNote

Funding

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) (ME-1310-07664)

Subject Terms

Geographic Coverage

Distributor(s)

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
Hide

Time Period(s)

2014 -- 2019
Hide

Study Purpose

To conduct a demonstration of a patient and stakeholder engagement method that develops research agendas for patient-centered outcomes research studies. The 2 specific aims were to (1) conduct demonstrations of the SEED method for participatory generation of conceptual models and research questions developed by stakeholders; and (2) ensure replicability and scalability of the method through project documentation, evaluation, and preparation of tools for future research.

Study Design

In this demonstration study, researchers created a method for engaging patients and other stakeholders in conceptualizing and developing research agendas. The demonstration took place at two sites in Virginia. The Stakeholder Engagement in quEstion Development (SEED) Method engaged three sets of stakeholders at each site:

  • Research Team. A group of community members and staff from local universities who worked with the study researchers to lead the demonstration and finalize the research agendas.
  • Topic Groups. Three groups of stakeholders who worked to conceptualize and develop research questions. Each group represented one stakeholder perspective--such as patient, health professional, or research funder--and worked independently with the Research Team.
  • Stakeholder Consultants. People with knowledge of the research topic, such as patients and healthcare providers, who participated in focus groups and interviews.

The SEED Method has six steps:

  1. Identify and Engage. The Research Team identified the research topic and Topic Group members for each site.
  2. Consult. The Research Team conducted focus groups and interviews with Stakeholder Consultants to ask about beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors about the research topic and barriers and facilitators to better health outcomes. Each Topic Group had three meetings with the Research Team: two to plan interviews and group discussions with the Stakeholder Consultants and one to review results.
  3. Conceptualize. Each of the three Topic Groups created conceptual models to illustrate their perceptions of the relationships between factors affecting health outcomes.
  4. Generate Questions. Each Topic Group reviewed the three sets of conceptual models for their site and participated in a facilitated exercise to develop research questions.
  5. Prioritize Questions. Each Topic Group reviewed, discussed, and finalized the research questions and then voted to select the top questions for the research agenda.
  6. Finalize and Disseminate Questions. For prioritized questions, the Research Team reviewed the literature, identified research gaps, and made recommendations for future studies. Then the Research Team developed dissemination plans for each research agenda. Research Team and Topic Group members completed assessments about engagement and the effectiveness of the SEED Method throughout the study.

Universe

Patients and stakeholders from Richmond and Martinsville, Virginia

Data Source

Focus groups, interviews, meeting discussions, conceptual models, literature reviews

Hide

Original Release Date

2025-11-24

Hide

Notes

  • The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.

  • ICPSR usually offers files in multiple formats for researchers to be able to access data and documentation in formats that work well within their needs. If you have questions about the accessibility of materials distributed by ICPSR or require further assistance, please visit ICPSR’s Accessibility Center.