Table 1 Value of using qualitative research with trials

Problem solver

Identifying problems and solutions prior to the full trial by exploring trial feasibility, informing the intervention, developing data collection instruments.

Saving the effort of undertaking trials which prove to be unfeasible, making a full trial viable by ensuring its ability to recruit or retain participants, optimising interventions so that an expensive trial is undertaken of the best intervention.

Explainer

Explaining trial results which are null, disappointing, surprising or confusing.

Offering complementary findings which supplement or modify the conclusion of the trial.

Translator

Understanding the intervention implementation and context in the full trial in order to facilitate use of the evidence in the real world.

Increasing the utility of the evidence generated by the trial for changing practice in the real world.

Engager

Securing stakeholder engagement so they have ‘buy in’ for the trial and remain enthusiastic about the trial.

Facilitating trial viability.

Trainer

Offering an opportunity for trial managers to undertake PhDs or researchers to undertake dissertations for masters.

Increasing numbers of academically qualified and experienced researchers.

Helping trialists working in a specific field to develop understanding of a body of interventions.

Improving evaluations of interventions in the future.

Knowledge generator

Identifying issues about the experiences of patients with different health conditions.

Improving the knowledge base about how to improve the quality of services for patients with different conditions.