How governments influence public health research: a scoping review

Governments can become involved in academic research to assist in public health decision-making. However, when governments become involved, the research process can be influenced away from academic research practices, jeopardizing research integrity. This review aimed to improve understanding of this by (i) establishing the extent of literature about government influence on research, (ii) detailing key characteristics of influence, and (iii) identifying gaps meriting future investigation. We conducted a scoping review to identify relevant literature by searching five electronic databases and grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text. Extracted data included the source, characteristics of the research projects, and the influence reported. Results were categorized and analysed using numerical summaries and narrative synthesis. The literature search yielded 6890 documents, with 71 eligible for full-text review. Seventeen documents met the inclusion criteria. Published between 2007 and 2021, most came from the UK (n = 8) and/or Australia (n = 11), with two coming from both. 126 modes of influence were reported, which could take multiple forms within one document and occur at any stage of the research process. The modes of influence were categorized as 'Direct' in 11 documents, 'Indirect' in 14, and/or 'Subtle' in 4. Influence was predominantly negative in 13 documents, with one reporting solely positive influences. This review summarizes reported instances of governments influencing the public health research process. The results highlight a need for deeper understanding of government-academic interactions and more transparent mechanisms for good practice. By fostering positive interactions, we can support beneficial population health outcomes. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework on 20 Aug 2023 (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YB7FE).