Research Courses
Please note that I am currently offering any of my Face to Face Courses as an online course, delivered through Microsoft Teams (or similar tool of your choice). The content will remain the same, although the way the material is presented, and how activities are completed, may change.
An Overview of Research
Aims:
To distinguish research from other techniques e.g. audit, evaluation
To introduce participants to the variety of research designs and research language.
To identify and evaluate these designs, exploring both their strengths and weaknesses. To introduce participants to the concepts of professional and scientific knowledge
To discuss the scientific method, its origins and importance in formulating theories
To introduce different perspectives on research, namely the positivist and interpretivist paradigms
To introduce the main research designs, and when they should be used
Content:
The morning session will define many of the designs and concepts used within research e.g. randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, longitudinal designs, randomisation etc. Each of these concepts will be discussed, and examples given. Advantages and disadvantages for each of these concepts will also be worked through, with the opportunity for students to identify these features within a list of given studies.
In the afternoon session, participants will be introduced to different ways of thinking about “research”. Both the positivist and interpretivist paradigms will be explored, with discussion around the scientific method and its importance in positivist research. Activities will focus around the research process, research focus and research questions (introducing the PICO approach).
Duration:
1 Day (Can be run as two half days)
Pre-requisites:
If run as two half days, the morning session is needed before the afternoon
The Fundamentals of Questionnaire Design
Aims:
To provide participants with a practical overview of different methodologies and data collection tools
To provide participants with an awareness of different sampling methods and sample size issues
To illustrate the key principles of questionnaire design
To examine potential sources of bias
To discuss the importance of piloting
To discuss what makes a good letter of invitation
Content:
Using a combination of formal teaching and group work, participants will be introduced to the different types of survey design. They will be introduced to different sampling methods, alongside sample size issues, and learn about the principles of questionnaire design. They will become able to identify potential sources of bias, and critique existing questionnaires. We will discuss current data collection methods and tools and the issues reated to these. By the end of the session they will be able to to select the research methodology and data collection method most suitable for a research question.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None
How to Write a Research Proposal
Aims:
To emphasise the importance of the research question
To identify the aims and objectives of the study, and how they link to the research question
To discuss the importance of the methodology
To discuss ethics, and how to address ethical issues
To discuss resources and timeframes
Content:
In this session participants will be introduced to the importance of writing a research proposal, and the key stages of the research process including design, sampling, recruitment, data collection, analysis, and project management. Participants will be introduced to research question writing (using the PICO approach). Particular attention will be paid to ethics and rigour in the design and conduct of research.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None
An Introduction to Critical Appraisal
Aims:
To illustrate to participants the importance of critically appraising literature as opposed to simply reading the literature
To introduce the randomised controlled trial and related concepts
To introduce basic statistical concepts, including p values and confidence intervals
To formally critically appraise an article
Content:
In this session participants will critically appraise an article in a systematic way. An introduction to relevant statistical principles will be included within this session, including the type of results that should be expected within research literature, and how they should be interpreted.
This session is based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal tool and format.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None
PLEASE NOTE: Some pre-reading of a scientific paper will be required for this session
Critically Appraising Literature
Aims:
To illustrate to participants the importance of critically appraising literature as opposed to simply reading the literature
To equip participants with the necessary skills to find and critically appraise research evidence about effectiveness in order to promote evidence-based practice
To introduce the randomised controlled trial and related concepts
To introduce statistical concepts, including p values and confidence intervals
To introduce univariate statistical tests for two groups
To introduce the concepts of risk, relative risk and hazard
To formally critically appraise an article
Content:
In this session, participants will critically appraise an article in a systematic way. An introduction to relevant statistical principles will be included within this session, including what statistical tests should be expected within research literature, and how they should be interpreted.
This session is based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal tool and format.
Duration:
1 Day
(A shorter half day session “An Introduction to Critical Appraisal” is also available which does not cover statistics in detail)
Pre-requisites:
None
PLEASE NOTE: Some pre-reading of a scientific paper will be required for this session
An Introduction to Outcome Measurement
Aims:
To introduce participants to the principles of outcome measurement
To introduce the concepts of validity, reliability, feasibility, sensitivity and specificity
To introduce the principal approaches to outcome measurement
To identify outcome measures suitable for the context concerned
Content:
In this session participants will be introduced to a number of definitions of “outcomes”, and the context / rationale for their use. In particular, outcome measures will be discussed in the context of reliability and validity, and the importance of these concepts. A range of measures will be presented, and criteria for selection of these will be explored, using one or more case studies to illustrate these. Group work will involve writing research questions based on the PICO approach, and defining appropriate outcome measures.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None
Dissemination Methods
Aims:
To illustrate the importance of having a dissemination strategy from the beginning of a project and reviewing it continuously
To illustrate the importance of disseminating research findings including the responsibilities of researchers, maximising the impact of research, targeting the right audience, and protecting intellectual property
To examine different methods of dissemination – written, verbal and electronic, and the strengths of each
To look at effective methods of getting research into practice and overcoming barriers to change
Content:
This session will cover the principals of dissemination, followed by group work to examine different aspects and effective methods of disseminating research findings. Participants will have the opportunity to practice some of these dissemination methods, and some aspects of presentation skills will be discussed. Some techniques for implementing research into practice will also be discussed.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None
Introduction to Project Management
Aims:
To illustrate the importance of good project management
To provide an overview of the key stages within the project – feasibility; initiation; live running; closure and review.
To illustrate the importance of the sponsor, project board, project manager and project team
To provide an overview of planning required; determining finance and resources; acquiring staff; and identifying potential risks to the project plan and ways of minimising these.
To provide an overview of project management tools available, including Gantt Charts
To discuss the differences between 'waterfall' and 'agile' projects
Content:
There will be a particular emphasis on the practicalities of project planning and management, and on learning from experience, from within the NHS and elsewhere. While Prince2, MSP etc are specific project management methodologies, this session will concentrate on the principles behind such methodologies.
Duration:
3 hours
Pre-requisites:
None