title: 'Bin bag' study: a survey of the research requests received by general practitioners and the primary health care team.
abstract: General practitioners receive a large and increasing number of unsolicited requests to participate in research. This study describes the volume and nature of research requests received by 18 primary care teams in a three-month period. On average, each practice receives 16 to 24 research requests each year. The most frequent request is to complete a questionnaire (32%). Only one-fifth of studies originate from academic or service general practice. Remuneration for participating in a study was only offered for 15% of studies. Although general practice teams feel swamped by research requests, this sensation may be exaggerated by invitations to participate in non-scientific surveys as well as true research projects. Practice teams would welcome help in distinguishing quality research proposals from the remainder.
authors.affiliation: Wessex Primary Care Research Network, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires