We want our web pages to be a resource for everyone. That’s whether you want to know more about our work, or to learn more about research. You might just be wondering what a health determinant is! It's possible that there are terms we use that might not be familiar to everyone. This glossary explains terms, acronyms, abbreviations or more. We try to keep them to a minimum, however you may find these terms on our pages or in documentation.
Click on the letters below to jump directly to that section of the glossary.
A | C | D | E | H | I | J | L | N | P | Q | R | S | T
When most people think about research they tend to think of a lot of dry numbers. Arts-based research aims to use creative methods to gather research data. So think less numbers and more expressions of feeling and impact through creativity!
A directorate within Cornwall Council that supports social care within Cornwall. It is sometimes abbreviated to CWB.
CC
Abbreviation for Cornwall Council
This is a group with members from voluntary organisations in Cornwall. The members can discuss research topics, and help shape the activities of the HDRC.
Citizen’s science
The involvement of local community members in research. This can include what’s researched, how to go about it, and how to collect and use data.
Collaboration
This is when people or organisations work together for a common aim. HDRC Cornwall is a collaboration between Cornwall Council, academic partners, and the local community.
Community of Practice
A place where people with a common interest can get together to discuss this. We have a Community of Practice for Evaluation for our community partners. Here people can share ideas and challenges on using evaluation in their work.
Abbreviation for Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. They are one of our partners. Cornwall VSF supports voluntary organisations in Cornwall. They provide HDRC Cornwall with a valuable link to our local community.
CRG
Abbreviation for the Citizens Research Group. (See Citizen Research Group).
CSS
Acronym used for the Customer and Support Services directorate within Cornwall Council. (See Customer and Support Services).
CVSF
Abbreviation for Cornwall VSF, or Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. (See Cornwall VSF).
A directorate within Cornwall Council that aims to transform our services and ensure the Council is fit for purpose now and in the future. Sometimes abbreviated to CSS.
CWB
Acronym used for the Care and Wellbeing directorate within Cornwall Council. (See Care and Wellbeing).
Cornwall Council's work is split into different directorates. Each directorate works in a particular area to support the people of Cornwall. For example, Together for Families works to support Cornish families. HDRC Cornwall supports research in all the directorates of Cornwall Council.
In our context, this is giving more control to someone or an organisation to take action. We want to support people in Cornwall to do research and to know how to use the results. We also want to empower the people of Cornwall to have a say in what research is needed and how it is done.
Environmental issues
Things in someone’s surroundings or environment that can impact their health. This could be poor quality housing, poor air quality, conditions at work, or many other factors.
Evaluation
This is assessing whether a project or activity has achieved what it aimed to do. You can complete evaluation during a project or activity, or after it has ended. The results of evaluation can give us information to plan future projects.
Evidence
This is information that proves the impact that something may have. Research often aims to gather evidence.
Abbreviation for Health Determinants Research Collaboration. (See Health Determinants Research Collaboration).
Health
The World Health Organisation defines being healthy as a state of physical, social and mental wellbeing. It’s important to note that being healthy is not just a case of not being ill.
Health Determinants Research Collaboration
This is often abbreviated to HDRC (as in HDRC Cornwall). There are 30 HDRC’s in the UK, funded by the NIHR (see NIHR). The aim of HDRC’s is to help encourage and embed research into local authorities. Through research and evaluation, local authorities can make decisions to improve the health of people based on evidence.
Health Determinants
These are factors that help determine the health of people. Some health determinants are down to lifestyle choice, or genetics. But a large role is played by health determinants outside our control. This can be as simple as where we live, or what resources we can access. We’re seeking to understand what health determinants affect people in Cornwall. That way we can make decisions going forward that improve health and wellbeing. Health Determinants are sometimes called the building blocks of health.
Health Inequalities
This is where different people have different levels of health. These are determined by external factors that they cannot control. We are working to encourage research to reduce health inequalities in Cornwall.
Relating to more than one area. Research could be interdisciplinary if it relates to different health topics, or both academic and citizen interests.
In the context of our work, Journal Club is a space to discuss published academic papers relating to research and health. It helps to give those who attend the confidence to assess research results. They can then decide whether a piece of research has practical benefits to their work.
How long on average a healthy person is expected to live. Many different things can determine this.
Logic Model
A framework and a process for planning to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It displays the connections between resources, activities, and outcomes. It helps determine when and what to evaluate so that evaluation resources are used efficiently and effectively.
A directorate within Cornwall Council, responsible for maintaining our places and spaces.
National Institute of Health and Care Research. They fund health and social care research in the UK. The NIHR fund HDRC’s around the country including HDRC Cornwall.
Research where people and communities help design and feed into it. We aim to work with the people of Cornwall to know what’s important to them, and to plan research with them.
PH
Abbreviation for Public Health. The HDRC Cornwall team sits within the Public Health department at Cornwall Council. Public Health works to support the health and wellbeing of people in Cornwall.
This is information or evidence that is not based on numbers. It focuses on the thoughts and feelings of those that supplied the information. This could be through interviews or arts-based research.
Quantitative data
Information gathered that is number based. An example includes a percentage of people affected by a certain issue.
This can mean a lot of different things to different people. Essentially research is the process of finding out new information. The results of research can then inform decisions.
Research Advocates
These are people who support HDRC Cornwall by sharing and promoting research. We have Research Advocates in different directorates of Cornwall Council, as well as outside organisations.
Research capacity
The ability that a person or organisation has to conduct research. Capacity can be determined by time, skills, experience and more.
RSO
Abbreviation for Research Support Officer. These are members of the HDRC Cornwall team. They work with the different directorates within Cornwall Council and the local community to understand their needs, and to support research they may want to do.
Abbreviation for Sustainable Growth and Development, a directorate in Cornwall Council. (See Sustainable Growth and Development).
Sustainable Growth and Development
A directorate with Cornwall Council, responsible for economic growth in Cornwall. Sometimes abbreviated to SGD.
Social innovation
This means introducing new practises that help address social issues.
Social issues
Things that affect a part of society in particular. It could be opportunities for accessing help, chances to socialise, poverty, cost of living or many other factors.
Abbreviation for Together for Families, a directorate in Cornwall Council. (See Together for Families).
A directorate within Cornwall Council, responsible for protecting and supporting children and families in Cornwall. Sometimes abbreviated to TFF.