Background Inclusive research is studied mainly in short‐term collaborations between researchers with and without intellectual disabilities focusing on practicalities. Structural study of long‐term collaborations can provide insight into different roles of inclusive researchers, thereby contributing to a collective approach. Method Interviews with inclusive research team members (n = 3), colleagues (n = 8), and managers (n = 2) and three group discussions within the inclusive research team were held. Data were analysed following membership categorization analysis (MCA) adapted to the needs of the inclusive research team. Results This MCA provides insight into the complexity of inclusive research, reflected in the multitude of identified roles and activities. Analysis indicates that researchers with and without intellectual disabilities complement each other. Conclusions The activities identified in this study provide valuable information for discussing roles and responsibilities from the outset, so that dialogue starts at the core of inclusive research: the process between researchers with and without intellectual disabilities.

Increasingly, perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are included in research concerning their health (Gibbs, Brown,

The active involvement of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in research is expected to lead to relevant research outcomes, increased quality of life, improved healthcare, reduction of health inequities, and empowerment of people with ID. Despite the developments in inclusive health research, a lack of transparency remains with regard to how the partnership between researchers with and without ID is shaped and structural study of inclusive health research is needed. This study aims to gain insight into the experiences of inclusive research teams in practice regarding (1) reasons, (2) attributes, and (3) outcomes of inclusive health research. A structural study of four inclusive research teams was conducted in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands using case study methodology. Data were triangulated through documents and individual and group interviews. Data were analyzed and synthesized using domain and taxonomic analysis. Reasons for conducting inclusive research ranged from personal to practical. Having an inclusive ethos was found to be crucial in conducting inclusive research meaningfully in practice. Based on data analysis, attributes of inclusive research consist of three interrelated themes, one focusing on methodological aspects and two focusing on active involvement and partnerships. Outcomes of inclusive research across cases were found within three categories relating to research practice, inclusion itself, and interpersonal outcomes. Empowerment was found to be important. Although empowerment is not new to inclusive research, its positive effect on research quality appears to be new and needs further research. This study's results and the literature indicate that developing inclusive research policy and practice requires a realistic perspective, with a balance between maximum collaboration and using researchers' strengths. The results of this study are transferrable to inclusive research using similar methods with other groups. When the aim is to share learning in groups, a shared language is needed.

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have unhealthier lifestyles than the general population. To sustainably improve their lifestyle and health status, a whole-system approach to creating healthy environments is crucial. To gain insight into how support for physical activity and healthy nutrition can be embedded in a setting, asset mapping can be helpful. Asset mapping involves creating a bottom–up overview of promoting and protective factors for health. However, there is no asset mapping tool available for ID support settings. This study aims to develop an asset mapping tool in collaboration with people with ID to gain insight into assets for healthy nutrition and physical activity in such settings. The tool is based on previous research and development continued in an iterative and inclusive process in order to create a clear, comprehensive, and usable tool. Expert interviews (n = 7), interviews with end-users (n = 7), and pilot testing (n = 16) were conducted to refine the tool. Pilot participants perceived the tool as helpful in pinpointing perceived assets and in prompting ideas on how to create inclusive environments with support for physical activity and healthy nutrition. This overview of assets can be helpful for mobilizing assets and building the health-promoting capacities of ID support settings.

Background Health research is increasingly conducted with the active involvement of the people who are the focus of the research. People with intellectual disabilities also participate actively in research; this is called inclusive research. Collaboration in inclusive research teams requires shared decision‐making (SDM). Although inclusive studies frequently refer to decision‐making as something the research team does together, the decision‐making process is still a black box. This study aims to provide more insight into SDM in inclusive research by reflecting on a 3‐year collaboration in an inclusive research team. The research questions are: (1) What kinds of decisions were made by the inclusive research team? (2) How were decisions made by the inclusive research team? (3) What impact did the decisions have on the research project? Methods To answer the research questions, the inclusive research team members reflected on SDM in their project by looking at the documentation of the inclusive research process and by conducting semi‐structured interviews with the team members. Findings In all research steps, the inclusive research team decided together on the content and procedures of the studies and on role division. Reflecting on SDM resulted in an overview of the types of decisions made, the information needed and the processes involved in making shared decisions. Furthermore, the team provided an account of how SDM positively impacted the quality of the studies and empowered people with intellectual disabilities. Conclusions This study provides insights into types of decisions, SDM processes and their impact on research. The insights give an overview of opportunities and key components of SDM that can foster conceptual clarity of SDM in inclusive research. In practice, inclusive research teams can use these insights to advance successful ways of sharing power in decision making, having an impact on the quality of research and empowering people with intellectual disabilities.