Getting Started in Research

1. Getting Started in Research

2. Research and the Radiography Profession A Strategy and Five Year Plan Published October 2005

3. Why do research?

4. A profession must have its own unique body of knowledge “ Radiography has been considered by some to be semi-professional since much of its knowledge base was built on research undertaken by medical practitioners and physicists, rather than by radiographers.” Nixon (2001) Radiography is significantly underweight when compared with other allied health professionals

5. Career Progression Framework • All Practitioners should be research aware. • Advanced Practitioners should contribute to research and must use evidence in their practice. • Consultant Practitioners should be advancing in practice and be leaders in their field, who are advising and supporting others. They will have a crucial function in ensuring research and practice are effectively merged. A Strategy for the Education and Professional Development of Radiographers, CoR (2002)

6. One of the ‘Objects’ for which the SCoR is established is: “ To promote study and research work in radiography and radiotherapeutic technology and allied subjects and to publish the results of all such study and research.”

7. Aim of Research Strategy “ To outline the responsibilities and commitment required of all radiographers to include research skills as part of their occupational development, for the advancement of the profession, and for the benefit of their patients.”

8. Overall ambitions of Research Strategy • Continue to develop research skills in the profession. • Set out expectations for individual radiographers, managers and the Professional Body. • Emphasise the need for practice and patient-centred care to be fully evidence based.

9. Issues raised by Research Strategy • It is vital the outcomes from research are related to the evidence base of radiography and contribute to the body of knowledge that defines the profession. • Each centre should develop their research expertise – identify a research priority for your centre. • Research questions need to be raised through collaborative ventures – Link with academic departments.

10. Perceived Barriers to Research in Radiography • 7.2 Perceived barriers are: • A scarcity of defined research career pathways. • Shortages of staff. • Lack of available funding. • Deficiency in funding to implement a supportive infrastructure. • Inequity in the distribution of funding. • Lack of confidence. • Insufficient flexibility between postdoctoral research and clinical training. • Prolonged insecurity in short-term appointments.

11. What is research? • Audit is a project which seeks to measure existing practice against evidence based standards. • A Project is service evaluation if it seeks to establish existing practice or the views of users and staff, where the findings may not be universally applicable. • A project is research if it seeks to establish new knowledge and its findings may be generalised.

12. Putting together a research question • Any time you ask why? In clinical practice, is a potential research question. • Look at research priorities of Society and College of Radiographers. • Make use of student dissertations to achieve your centres research priority. • Findings from audits/service evaluations.

13. 5 Research priorities for radiotherapy • Skin Care/deodorant use (updating skin care instructions and how well departments adhere to current standards) • Patient Information (including audit of information giving processes and leaflets, variety of information provided, innovative approaches to information giving) • Rectal filling/bladder filling (for Prostate conformal or IMRT therapy, to incorporate research already completed as well as a new study to investigate different pre treatment bladder/bowel prep.) • Follow Up care (to investigate post treatment care and the role of the therapy radiographer in this process) • Planning/contouring (advanced practice in planning and assessment of accuracy of outlining contours etc.) • Other topics are also considered

14. 6 Research priorities for diagnostic radiography • Patient Information and Communication Issues in Diagnostic Imaging and their impact on radiology economy and patient diagnosis (non-adherence, failed examinations, the transfer of information to patients, and the impact from the patient’s perspective) • Complementary Patient Care enhancement techniques (effectiveness of the phobia cure for MRI, needle phobias, relaxation for CT, MRI and invasive procedures) • Sociological analysis of the profession of diagnostic radiography • Identification of new technologies that require assessment (in terms of their impact on patient pathways and clinical/diagnostic outcomes) • The development of leadership in the profession (advanced and consultant roles) • The impact of the movement of diagnostic services from the NHS to the private sector • The effects of CR/DR on radiographer’s work practice (clinical issues, exposure factors, dose and diagnostic performance) Other topics are also considered

15. Do some reading around the subject Has it been done before? (no problem build on this research by following their recommendations) It hasn’t been done before (has something similar been done where you can modify their methodology) I haven’t done any research before Look to your local academic department, is there anybody who might be interested in working with you Your R+D department (also money can be available) Research Committee SCoR can offer support Put together your Research Proposal Putting together your research idea

16. Sticking to the ‘rules’ eg guidelines for presentation etc Importance of the research / justification Demonstrated ability to do the work Robustness of the research methods Quality of presentation – typos / formatting etc Innovation Well organised proposal that is simple, and logical Research team have evidence of a good track record The budget is reasonable, believable and justified, with rational arguments for including consumables, equipment and other items User Involvement Consideration of Ethics What makes a good research proposal?

17. Think of a good idea Make the reader think "why didn't I think of that“ Good proposals are often simple proposals! What makes a good proposal: Originality

18. Proposals take time Writing organises your thoughts Assume your audience know nothing of your field Know where your audience are coming from Avoid writing with 'attitude‘ Avoid writing in the first person Signposting What makes a good proposal: well organised and thought out

19. Who will do the work? When will they do the work? Other support – statistics, administration. Good balance of research expertise and topic expertise. Experienced researchers or mentorship/supervision. What makes a good proposal: A well balanced project team

20. Transcribing Transport Administration Tapes Technology Software costs Training needs Dissemination strategy What makes a good proposal: A well thought out budget

21. All research on human subjects (including their stored data) must undergo independent ethical review If research is to be conducted in a University then university ethical process will apply If research is to be conducted in the NHS, on NHS staff, patients, carers or users (including their stored data) then NHS Research Ethics Review is Required You are not alone your R+D department can help you with this process. Visit www.nres.npsa.nhs.ukfor more information What makes a good proposal: Ethics

22. Where to look for funding

23. Where should we be looking? For NHS based research: R+D info contains all the funding sources plus deadlines for any calls. Professional Body SCoR research funding (£50,000 a year). National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Cancer charities. Hospital charities. For educational research Educational monies spread across the research councils. Teaching quality enhancement fund. Funding Sources

24. The CoR Research Awards • The CoR has £50,000 each year to give to projects researching • the science and practice of the profession through its CoRIPS • award. • Up to £5000 for small projects • Up to £10000 for one large project • Bids for larger funding considered • Little or no experience of research and development? No problem – we can help you through the process. • For information, application forms and funding criteria contact • Rachel Harris at rachelh@sor.org or go to • www.sor.org/members/research/research_fund.htm