Who can request to use the LIVES Panel?

Researchers from universities, research institutes, and other organisations can request to use the LIVES Panel.

Is there any cost to use the LIVES Panel?

No. There is no cost for researchers to submit a request, or to recruit participants using the LIVES Panel.

Is ethics approval required?

Yes. All studies must have human research ethics approval from a recognised human research ethics committee (HREC).

What does the LIVES Panel expect from researchers?

Researchers are expected to conduct their work in ways that respect participants, protect privacy and confidentiality, and demonstrate a clear benefit to communities.

Can I request specific participant demographics?

‍Yes. Researchers are asked to provide their study’s participant eligibility criteria and recruitment aims, including relevant demographic characteristics, through the LIVES Panel request form. This information is used to identify participants who may be a good fit.

How long does the review process take?

The time required can vary depending on the number of requests we receive. We aim to review requests as efficiently as possible and will keep you informed about the progress of your application.

How are participants contacted?

If your study has ethics approval and you proceed to recruit participants using the LIVES Panel, our team will send invitations to potential participants on your behalf, using their preferred contact method. These invitations will include a summary of your study and clear instructions on how participants can get in touch if they are interested.

All study information included in invitations will be based on materials provided by the research team. You will have the opportunity to review and approve the final version of the invitation before it is distributed.

Researchers are not able to contact participants directly unless participants choose to get in touch.

If LIVES Panel members contact me about my study, am I obligated to recruit them as participants?

No. You are not obligated to include everyone who expresses interest in your study. We understand that you may still likely need to screen potential participants to ensure they meet your eligibility criteria, or you may have already reached your required sample size. Any recruitment decisions should be made in line with your study protocol and ethics approval.

Can I use the panel for multiple studies?

Yes. Researchers can submit separate requests for different studies. These will be reviewed individually.

Can I ‘snowball’ for my study using LIVES Panel participants?

Yes. Many studies rely on snowballing (where initial participants recommend and refer additional participants) to recruit participants. If your study includes participants accessed through the LIVES Panel, you are free to ask them to recommend or refer other participants from their social networks, if this falls within the terms of your ethics approval.

If my study recruits participants that are not members of the LIVES Panel, can I encourage them to join?

Yes. Researchers may share information about the LIVES Panel with people who are not currently members. Any decision to join the Panel is entirely voluntary, and individuals can review the information provided and decide whether they would like to register.