User involvement in research: power and compromise

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The extent to which collaborative research can redress power imbalances is debated with reference to some of the relevant literature. Different ways in which research can be collaborative and power shared between researchers and participants are discussed. The benefits and challenges specific to collaboration in the area of mental health research are considered, illustrated with examples from research we conducted into the experience of taking antipsychotic medication. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</jats:p>