Table 3.

Summary of research understanding, barriers and motivators subthemes.

Subthemes	Feedback/suggestions	Supporting quotes
Understanding of research	Good perceptions of research due to previous participation	I understand health research as improving things, making things better for people and the whole society, communities, helping others… (South Asian men) …Like the research about Black women and mortality rate. We know in the Black community, there are more deaths because of the way babies are delivered, home births… (Somali)
	Knowledge of different types of research	Talking research: focus groups, and discussion. But also taking part in research—sometimes you get letters through the post telling you/inviting you to take part in research/to be part of the sample/research group. (South Asian women) Well, there's qualitative and quantitative. You have randomised control trials, systematic reviews. These are all gold standards… (Midwife)
Barriers to research participation	Trust in who is conducting the research	For people who are born in Caribbean means ‘you are going to be used/they are going to use me’, a guinea pig. You do not get anything back when it finishes. Therefore, I am reluctant to be involved. One side benefits (African Caribbean) I will not trust private companies and research. I will trust more Universities, public institutions‐based research. (Eastern European)
	Participants struggle to open up in groups	Participants were asked to be open or share their feedback—I felt people were not open, not comfortable to speak up; honesty of answers—without offending people. (LGBTQIA+)
	Lack of education on research participation	Education about research, if people do not understand what research is about, they will not take part. Education first—taking part later. (South Asian Men)
	Lack of understanding of what prevents people from accessing healthcare	Many patients go to see the GP as a last resort, not the first port of call. Need to understand why this is. Are there access barriers? It's difficult to speak on behalf of other people. Health services access and urgent care isn't always the best. (Retired GP)
	Research outcomes not shared with communities	…we want quick answers, what is the outcome, the results now? We are not interested in long‐term things. Because of this reason, some people do not want to be involved. (South Asian Men) Researchers in community centres, places of worship, but reports are never shared and researchers do not come back… Outcomes are never disclosed to the community. (South Asian Men) People from ethnic minority groups want ethical treatment. They don't want to be patronised, and they want to know that they're contributing. (Midwife)
	Past experiences and perceptions	Recently, I heard about men being involved in research and they died (young men died). Money is not good for you if you are dead. (African Caribbean)
Motivation	Helping others	I will take part in research if this helps people, even medical/hospital‐based research. During Covid‐19, if they will say to me—take 10 jabs, I will take it. (African Caribbean) In a personal experience, vouchers and incentives don't play as the number one motivator that people care about. They care about their contribution and helping others as long as helping others is clear. (Researcher Paramedic)
	Topics of importance to individuals and communities	If it relates to me or have impact on my personal situation—pull in factor. It matters to me. (Eastern European) Topic is important—personal experience can help. Relevance/when it hits home—it matters to me. (GT)
Increase research participation	Empower communities	Training people from the community to help with the research… Empowering the community to train community members. Once you train people, people can do it in the community. (Somali) We need to build long term with people in communities and engage with people on their terms. (Retired GP)
	Consider community circumstances and how health information is sought	…understanding people's circumstances is also an important thing. Yes, I agree most of our community, ethnic minorities they do not want to take part in research because if people have bad health condition they can find the solution from their GP or somewhere else, so they do not think it will affect them. (South Asian Men)
	Provide incentives for taking part	… for some people, to engage in research, an incentive will be important like vouchers, other incentives. (South Asian Men)
	Share research details and findings with communities	I have previously taken part in PhD research. I felt valued and my opinions mattered. It was nice to see the outcomes of the research involvement… (Retired GP)
	Uphold respect and value for community participation	… commended for the PPI and so is it was inspiring to see that work being acknowledged. And so now putting a PPI plan in place is more than just tokenistic. Why don't you do it as it makes a big difference to the research? (Carer)
	Use alternative approaches to engage with people	Using door‐to‐door approach, especially for people who do not leave their home…GP promotion‐ GP could offer to their patients if they want to take part in research. (Somali) People exposed or affected by certain conditions may be more likely to partake in research work. It's about finding a way to approach people. (Nurse) Practical arrangements/location of research/who is in the room. Depends on who is in the room from the community, people may not want to speak up/share things in front of them/open up. (GT) …the latest invitation I received inviting me to take part in cancer research‐related study, it asks for a blood sample. It states that this can be done in various locations (including mobile points, GP). This is convenient for me (Eastern European) I prefer to be involved in face‐to‐face activities; you can raise your hands; zoom can be tricky. (African Caribbean) A short questions/survey/links online are good options to encourage more people… A demo/short clip‐ who different types of research look like? What to expect. (Eastern European)

Abbreviations: GP, general practitioner; GT, Gypsy Travellers.