Infographic: Research Partners and Research Participants and Why They Matter to Research

Infographic explaining the differences between research partners and participants and why they both matter to research

What is this resource?

This one-page infographic clearly explains the differences between research participants and research partners in an easy-to-understand, side-by-side format. It highlights how participants typically take part in a study by contributing data, completing surveys, or receiving an intervention, while research partners collaborate with the study team throughout the research process. The infographic outlines key distinctions in roles, expectations, decision-making, time commitment, and potential benefits. It also emphasizes how partners contribute lived experience, help shape research questions and design, and influence how findings are shared, while participants contribute valuable data that makes research possible. Designed for patients and community members, this resource may also be helpful for researchers and trainees, It can be used to promote a shared understanding of how individuals can engage in research in different but equally important ways.

How this advances translational science

Involving impacted patients as research collaborators to enable research advances across the translational continuum.