Table 2.

 Project phases and methods of data collection

Phase	Purpose	Data sources and approaches
1	To build relationships with the stakeholders, understand the local context, and gain information about current and previous public reporting initiatives	In‐depth interviews with PCO Board members, managers and practice staff Focus groups of patients registered with the practices Focus groups of practice staff Informal meetings with practice staff and PCO managers Participant observation of PCO and practice meetings, including patient participation/support group meetings, backed up by field notes and researcher diaries Review of relevant documentation, such as annual reports and minutes of meetings
2	To analyse the facilitators and barriers to developing the information source	Qualitative analysis of the data derived from Phase 1 to examine the strength and nature of forces acting in favour of the aims of the project, and those acting against Comparisons drawn between data derived from different stakeholders and from different localities
3	To feedback the results of Phase 2 to the participants and to devise and agree possible formats for the information source and individuals responsible for implementation	Formal presentations, seminars, written reports and informal conversations to feedback results of Phase 2 to all stakeholders
4	To implement the action plan agreed in Phase 3	Establishment of PCO‐based steering groups bringing together members of the public and practice staff from all participating practices with PCO managers Formal and informal discussions with members of the public, practice and PCO staff to negotiate responsibilities for progress, content and reporting format of the information and modes of dissemination Sharing of information about progress between sites Development of ‘prototype’ information sources Publication of the final prototype and development of the website
5	To evaluate the use and impact of the information source on the participants	Process diaries kept by research staff Surveys of public response to prototype information source Interviews and focus groups with members of the public, practice staff and PCO managers Website usage analysis and ‘talk‐through’ interviews