Table 3 Examples of queries from different user groups

Directors of Public Health for a consortium of Local Authorities in a deprived region of England

To identify effective messaging in a mass media campaign to promote smoking cessation in their region

What is the optimal content, timing and patterning of delivery of a mass media campaign that aims to increase attempts to stop smoking in economically deprived smokers in the North East of England?

A research team developing a research proposal to evaluate a mindfulness smartphone application to promote healthier eating

To find out what evidence there is on whether mindfulness interventions can help people to achieve lasting change in eating patterns

What is the knowledge base on the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions in achieving long-term behaviour change, and are there any general conclusions that can be drawn from this about who it works for, for what behaviours and delivered in what ways?

Highways England (responsible for safety on major roads)

To re-evaluate policies on speed cameras as a way of reducing excessive speed

What effect if any have speed cameras had on reducing the incidence of driving above the speed limit on major roads in England? Are there any factors that influence the effect in terms of geography, type of road, and type of road user?

NHS England

To develop a national campaign to reduce hospital acquired infections through improved hand-hygiene

What interventions have been found to be effective in improving hand hygiene in hospitals? How effective are they? Are some more effective than others? Are there contextual factors (population and setting) that influence the effect of these interventions, and if so what are they?

A cancer charity

To identify the most effective strategies for increasing ultra-violet protection behaviours

What is the relative effectiveness of different interventions aimed at increasing the ultra-violet protection behaviours? How far is this influenced by contextual factors (population and setting)?