Citizen involvement in scientific activities and extension of knowledge to society

Abstract

High-quality health research must involve the citizen, bringing merit, relevance, and value to research and ensuring the transfer of new knowledge or outputs to thecommunity. This theoretical study aimed to conceptualize and discuss the role ofCitizen Involvement and Extension to Society in research processes and outcomes,revealing that both concepts have different purposes. Research units and researchfunding agencies are promoting Citizen Involvement in all steps of the researchprocess because it adds quality to it. Moreover, universities, research units, andresearchers should extend their knowledge to society, the citizens, or the end-usersas part of their social responsibility. Citizen Involvement and Extension to Societyshould be considered strategic areas for the development of research in general andnursing research in particular. More studies are needed to generate new knowledge anduseful products to better serve the real needs of society