Improving diversity in research: Learning from the perspectives of minority communities in the UK

Health and social care research is undertaken to inform and broaden our understanding of different topics and phenomena before we make decisions in practice (National Institute for Health Research, n.d.). Diversity is an important element to consider when conducting this kind of research, but seems to have posed something of a challenge for both qualitative and quantitative researchers in the social sciences.

Evidence suggests that research often fails to adequately represent the voices of ethnic minorities, despite recognition that these populations experience a greater burden of disease and poorer treatment outcomes (Smart et al., 2017). As research can lead to the development of treatment guidelines which influence clinical practice, the absence of these voices means that treatments generated and utilised as not necessarily generalisable, applicable, or helpful for ethnic minority populations. This works to amplify health inequalities.