Table 2 Options for data analysis

1. A refinement of existing data analysis themes

BW used Thematic Analysis to analyse interviews, IIM and study team meetings and JIF transcripts, as well as observational notes, relevant documents such as Shaping Our Lives terms of reference and the National Lottery–funded proposal. Participants were invited to review the themes BW initially identified and to engage in two-way discussion to develop and refine these themes, e.g., by offering their views and constructive critique, and suggesting themes they felt may have been missed

2. Primary analysis of primary (non-confidential) data

Everyone involved was given the option to look at and analyse data in its pre-analysed state, e.g., group meeting transcripts, meeting minutes, relevant documents to identify themes without knowledge of the themes BW had separately identified

3. User-led group discussion

Members of the IIM group to share their own experiences of the collaboration with each other without engaging with any of the empirical datasets. IIM group members would discuss their experiences of the project and develop their own themes relating to the most significant and relevant factors and issues encountered during the project

4. Identify the main themes based on personal experience

Without reviewing the data or findings of the thematic analysis, participants were invited to share what they felt had been the most significant aspects of the project. This could include what they felt the main issues had been and what explained these, what had gone well, and why this was thought to have been the case?

5. Suggest an alternative analytical approach

It was appreciated that not everyone may want to engage with any of the previous options so everyone involved was invited to propose alternative ways that they could contribute to the analytical process