Table 3.

Coding framework from the interview transcripts

Code	Definition
7. Experiential knowledge	A public collaborator refers to what they bring to the research meetings. This is a text that in some way corresponds to our definition of experiential knowledge (stories, comments, clarifications), including reference to lack of knowledge. This ‘experiential knowledge’ code relates to people's knowledge of the research topic (not knowledge of involvement or research).
8. How do patient and public representatives address the obstacles they encounter?	How public collaborators address obstacles, includes obstacles and descriptions of how to overcome obstacles.
9. How do researchers address obstacles they experience when involving patients and members of the public in research?	How researchers address obstacles, includes obstacles and descriptions of how to overcome obstacles.
10. How do researchers perceive the value of experiential knowledge?	Text contains a value judgement, for example, ‘good’, or ‘perhaps it was a bit narrow’. Use this code also when the researchers talk about no value or lower value of involvement.
11. How do researchers describe public collaborators' role?	Text from researchers that clearly relate to how they see the role of public collaborators in research.
12. What does involvement ‘good practice’ look like, from the perspective of involved patients/public members and researchers?	Text contains a value judgement, words that evaluate the described practice, for example ‘I really liked that’, or ‘in this way they clarified to me’.
13. What does involvement ‘poor practice’ look like, from the perspective of involved patients/public members and researchers?	Text contains a value judgement, words that evaluate the described practice, for example, ‘this was quite difficult because they didn't explain’, or ‘I wasn't sure what they meant’.
14. (How) does the contribution of experiential knowledge affect the design or conduct of research studies?	Text that speaks about changes in the research made as a result of the patient and public involvement.