Strategies and enabling conditions for strengthening older adults' involvement as active research partners: protocol...

Older adults are increasingly recognised as valuable contributors in health and social care research, yet their involvement as active research partners remains inconsistent and under-theorised across contexts. The aim of this study is to investigate how older adults are involved as active research partners in health and social care research and to build consensus on strategies and enabling conditions that can support and strengthen such involvement.

This study uses a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design comprising three phases. In the preparatory phase, the study protocol was developed and the ethical approval application was prepared and submitted. In the exploratory phase, an umbrella review of international evidence, a mapping survey with older adults and researchers, qualitative interviews and a participatory concept-mapping workshop will be conducted to identify experiences, practices, barriers and strategies for involving older adults as research partners. The empirical components will primarily be conducted within a Swedish context to generate context-sensitive insights. Findings will be triangulated to develop a preliminary framework and candidate consensus statements. In the consensus-building phase, a modified Delphi study will be conducted with two expert panels of older adults and researchers, respectively. Across iterative rounds, participants will rate the importance and feasibility of each statement using 5-point Likert scales. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively to assess consensus levels and qualitative comments will undergo content analysis. Results will be analysed overall and by panel to identify areas of agreement and divergence.

The study has received an advisory opinion from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (reference number 2025-08878-01). The study will be conducted in accordance with Swedish ethical regulations and applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation. Older adults have been involved in shaping the study and corresponding protocol and will contribute to the interpretation and dissemination of findings. Results of this study will be shared through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.