Academic Support

 DESIGN AND CONDUCT OF CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE UK

 

These pages provide research active members of BESS some key web links with guidance on how to design a research project and seek funding in the UK.  Although the focus of these links is on independent portfolio research, principles of study design and conduct also apply to industry-funded projects.

 

1. Reviewing the literature

 

The first step is to confirm whether your research question addresses a gap in existing knowledge.  A robust search and analysis of literature is essential for this purpose.

How to search the literature:

http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/CRD_Reports/crdreport4_app1.pdf

How to critically review the literature:

http://www2.plymouth.ac.uk/millbrook/rsources/sealit/critical.htm

 

 

2. Searching research databases

 

It is also important to check if your proposed project duplicates another on going or completed research project.  The following databases provide such a list of research projects.

 

Database of current projects:

https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/Portfolio.aspx

 

Database of completed projects:

https://portal.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/NRRArchive.aspx

 

 

3. Designing your research project

 

A well-designed research project and proposal are essential to attract research funding from open competition and peer review.  The following links provide robust guidance on various aspects of research design.

 

An on-line textbook providing comprehensive guidance on study design: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.php

 

Further help can be obtained from your regional research design service:

http://www.national-rdsu.org.uk/Network/Index.asp

 

Writing a research proposal – checklist:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15067878/design-of-the-research-proposaldoc

 

Calculation of project costs:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4125280

 

Help with statistics:

http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/stathome.html

http://www.sgul.ac.uk/about-st-georges/divisions/faculty-of-medicine-and-biomedical-sciences/community-health-sciences/discipline-groups/statistics-guide/statistics-guide-for-research-grant-applicants?searchterm=Statistics+Guide+for+Research+Grant+Applicants

 

It is also important to involve service users in your project proposal.  More information is available on this website:

http://www.invo.org.uk/pdfs/index.asp

 

 

4. Funding bodies

 

http://www.amrc.org.uk/homepage/

http://www.nihr-ccf.org.uk/

 

 

5. Conduct of your study

 

Obtaining approval of research ethics service and strict adherence to research governance are fundamental and the following links provide useful guidance on these aspects.

 

Application to Research Ethics Service:

http://www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk/applications/apply/research-in-the-nhs/

http://www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk/applications/guidance/

https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/

 

Research Governance:

http://www.ukcrc-rgadvice.org/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Researchanddevelopment/A-Z/Researchgovernance/index.htm

 

Clinical trials toolkit:

http://www.ct-toolkit.ac.uk/

 

Data handling / Patient confidentiality:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4069253

 

 

6. And finally some guidance on how to write a scientific paper

 http://www.oup.com/us/samplechapters/0841234620/?view=usa

 

Please send feedback or comments to:  Amar.Rangan@stees.nhs.uk

 

Amar Rangan

Chairman, Research Committee