Getting started with research

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Probst ◽  
Rachel Harris
Keyword(s):  
Research Funding ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Health Care Practitioners ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Professional Body ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Training And Support

AbstractDo you have an enquiring mind and an enthusiasm or thirst for knowledge? Do you want to get involved in radiotherapy research or develop your research expertise? Research should underpin the clinical and educational activities undertaken by Radiation Therapists. For many, research can seem a daunting process that is beyond their expertise or capabilities. All health care practitioners can use research evidence and some may want to undertake their own research but may feel unsure where to start.This article is aimed at novice researchers (or those with limited research experience) and those wanting to develop their research potential. The discussion should help practitioners identify the necessary skills required to undertake research, where to go for help, the research process (including where research ideas come from), and what to consider when putting together a project team or applying for research funding.The discussion concludes on the importance of research training and support (or mentoring) for novice researchers or those at the start of their research careers. The national professional body for therapists can play an important role in helping researchers to network with likeminded individuals. Some professional bodies (such as the College of radiographers in the UK) may also provide small research grants to help build research activity, and as such can be a useful starting point when considering research funding.

Radiotherapy research activity and radiographer involvement in the UK

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Davies ◽  
Christine Rawlings
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Local Initiatives ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Further Development

AbstractIn the UK, radiotherapy research is being conducted at national and international levels which include multi-centre clinical trials. Local initiatives and trials are also ongoing where work is being performed to develop techniques or protocols for new technologies and service development. Active participation within these studies is now leading to a culture change with radiographers (radiation therapists) becoming an integral part of the research process. There are currently 70 radiographers in the UK participating in research. This accounts for 2.5% of the UK profession. With the extension of role diversification, research radiographers are undertaking many new roles; however, there is still scope for further development. The therapists’ role in working within this research environment is to ensure improved standards of care focussed on evidence-based practice.

Ethnographer location and the politics of translation: researching one’s own group in a host country

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Jeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Hierarchical Relationship ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

As public and academic attention to migration increases, methodological issues related to such research become increasingly important. Although previous efforts of scholars have provided excellent guidance concerning reflexivity and power relationships in research, these discussions have tended to assume a conventional hierarchy positioning and have been limited to the relationship between the researcher and the researched only. Yet, given the shift in the research environment stemming from the increasing mobility of scholars and the increasing interchange of knowledge, as well as emerging auto-ethnographic/auto-biographic research, it is now necessary to challenge these traditional assumptions. This article raises questions concerning the hierarchical relationship between researcher and researched and certain conceptions of the field of ethnography based on my own research experience regarding South Korean migrant women in the UK. Accordingly, with particular emphasis on the researcher’s role as a translator, this article suggests extending our consideration of such relationships to the readership, which constitutes an important, but under-considered, factor in the research process.

scholarly journals Juggling Multiple Identities: The Untold Stories Behind a PhD Ethnographic Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691988414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junxia Hou ◽  
Anwei Feng
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Identity Shifts ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Reflexive Analysis

This article explores the fluidity and dynamicity of a Chinese PhD student’s research experience in negotiating her identities in a longitudinal ethnographic study, first in China and then in the UK. It adopts retrospective and reflexive document analysis of research journals written by her over a 5-year period of overseas study. The analytical framework for the critical reflection of knowledge production synthesizes key concepts of ontology, epistemology, reflexivity, positionality, serendipity, and intersectionality to describe and interpret the researcher’s struggles between insider and outsider, uncertain feelings about different values and beliefs, and emotions due to changing circumstances of family life. The reflexive analysis indicates that PhD students who undertake qualitative studies would function in a far more fluid manner than the often simplistically documented binary roles between an “insider” participant and an outsider researcher in their theses. The article argues that this fluidity in identity shifts and complexity in data collection and analysis are in most cases part and parcel of the research process, which is crucial for researchers to be aware of. Researchers should feel confident to tell the “messy stories” reflexively so as to enhance credibility and trustworthiness of the research findings.

Palliative Medicine Specialist Trainee Research experience, interest and opportunities: a national survey

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002609
Author(s):  
Donna Wakefield ◽  
Felicity Dewhurst ◽  
Jonathan Koffman ◽  
Charlotte Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Palliative Medicine ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Clinical Supervisors ◽  
Personal Time ◽  
Research Supervision ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesDespite the acknowledged benefits of research, Palliative Medicine receives minimal research funding and has few dedicated research training posts. This study investigated the opportunities and barriers to participating in research for the current cohort of UK Palliative Medicine Specialist Trainees (PMSTs), to better understand the opportunities to improve evidence-based practice within the specialty.MethodsTwo surveys, one for PMSTs and a second for training programme directors (TPDs), were developed. Surveys were piloted and then reviewed by the UK Palliative trainee Research Collaborative and the Palliative Medicine Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) before distribution. All current PMSTs and TPDs representing all of the UK training regions (n=13) were invited to complete the appropriate survey.ResultsOverall, 85% (11/13) and 45% (102/225) of TPDs and PMSTs responded, respectively. Almost all (92%) PMSTs reported that they were either ‘very interested’ or ‘quite interested’ in taking part in clinical research. PMSTs generally felt that educationaland clinical supervisors were supportive of them taking part in research; however, few (35%) believed they had access to personnel with adequate research experience to provide practical support. Opportunity for appropriate research supervision varied considerably by training region. Where research was being conducted, it was often conducted in trainees’ personal time due to the wide regional variation in dedicated research time.ConclusionDespite significant interest in clinical research and support by TPDs and clinical supervisors, access to experienced researchers and equitable protected research time by region needs urgent attention to enhance progress in evidence-based palliative medicine.

scholarly journals Research Funding for Male Reproductive Health and Infertility in the UK and USA [2016 to 2019]

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Gumerova ◽  
Christopher J. De Jonge ◽  
Christopher LR Barratt
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

There is a paucity of data on research funding for male reproductive health. We investigated the research funding for male reproductive health and infertility by examining publicly accessible databases from the UK and US government funding agencies. Information on the funding provided to male–based and 40 female–based research was collected using public accessed web databases from the UKRI–GTR, the NIHR's Open Data Summary, and the US' NIH RePORT. Funded projects that began research activity between January 2016 to December 2019 were recorded, along with their grant and project details. Strict inclusion–exclusion criteria were followed for both UK and US data with a primary research focus on male infertility, reproductive health and disorders, and contraception development. Funding support was divided into three research groups: male–based, female–based, and not–specified research. Between the 4–year period, the UK is divided into 5 funding periods, starting from 2015/16 to 2019/20, and the US is divided into 5 fiscal years, from 2016 to 2020. Between January 2016 to December 2019, UK agencies awarded a total of 11,767,190 GBP to 18 projects for male–based research and 29,850,945 GBP to 40 projects for female–based research. There was no statistically significant difference in funding average between the two research groups. The US NIH funded 76 projects totaling 59,257,746 US dollars for male–based research and 99 projects totaling 83,272,898 US dollars for female–based research. There was no statistically significant difference in funding average between the two groups. The findings of this study cannot be used to generalize and reflect global funding trends towards infertility and reproductive health as the data collected followed a narrow funding timeframe from government agencies and only two countries. Other funding sources such as charities, industry and major philanthropic organizations were not evaluated. This is the first study examining funding granted by main government research agencies from the UK and US for male reproductive health. This study should stimulate further discussion of the challenges of tackling male infertility and reproductive health disorders and formulate appropriate investment strategies.

Biosolids management integrated into national organic resource strategies in the UK

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Special Treatment ◽  
Market Place ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Municipal Compost ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Organic Resource ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Organic Resources

There are many kinds of organic byproducts. They are potentially useful, but can be wasted and thrown away. One use for many of these products is as fertilisers and soil conditioners but they are managed and regulated separately. Customers are faced with choices of services and products. Examples are biosolids, municipal composts, food processing byproducts and farm yard manures. Biosolids are perceived as being special, but part of a range of a number of wastes seeking a disposal. The target must be to establish and maintain safe, sustainable and welcome operations for the supply of all of these products. Trust is at the heart. There is nothing special about biosolids; they should not demand special treatment and should be viewed as one of a range of safe products. There must be a ‘level playing field’ for all products and then customers can choose that which is most suitable for their needs on the basis of agronomic value, customer service and financial deals available. So, for example, municipal compost and biosolids should compete in the market place on the basis of normal commercial terms, but not on the basis of differential safety or quality. It behoves everyone to co-operate in creating the starting point of equality of opportunity. The UK has established the Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership to bring together all stakeholders for all kinds of organic resources. The objective has been to create a national focus of knowledge excellence, which can provide the confidence for building public trust. The paper describes the history, role and future of SORP.

scholarly journals Mixed Methods Research in Developing Country Contexts: Lessons From Field Research in Six Countries Across Africa and the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
pp. 155868982110328
Author(s):  
Jamelia Harris
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
The Caribbean

Mixed methods research in developing countries has been increasing since the turn of the century. Given this, there is need to consolidate insights for future researchers. This article contributes to the methodological literature by exploring how cultural factors and logistical challenges in developing contexts interplay with mixed methods research design and implementation. Insights are based on the author’s research experience of using mixed methods in six projects across three African and three Caribbean countries. Three lessons are provided to aid researchers using mixed methods working in developing countries. First, cultural factors call for more reflexivity. Second, adopting a pragmatic research paradigm is necessary. And third, the research process should be iterative and adaptive.

An analysis of cancer research funding in the UK

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam O'Toole ◽  
Paul Nurse ◽  
George Radda
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
The Uk

Leveraging Twitter Using Artificial Intelligence to Explore Mental Health Insights in the UK During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Marshall ◽  
Kate Lanyi ◽  
Rhiannon Green ◽  
Georgie Wilkins ◽  
Fiona Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Key Topics ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND There is increasing need to explore the value of soft-intelligence, leveraged using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, as a source of analysed evidence to support public health research activity and decision-making. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to further explore the value of soft-intelligence analysed using AI through a case study, which examined a large collection of UK tweets relating to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A search strategy comprising a list of terms related to mental health, COVID-19, and lockdown restrictions was developed to prospectively collate relevant tweets via Twitter’s advanced search application programming interface over a 24-week period. We deployed a specialist NLP platform to explore tweet frequency and sentiment across the UK and identify key topics of discussion. A series of keyword filters were used to clean the initial data retrieved and also set up to track specific mental health problems. Qualitative document analysis was carried out to further explore and expand upon the results generated by the NLP platform. All collated tweets were anonymised RESULTS We identified and analysed 286,902 tweets posted from UK user accounts from 23 July 2020 to 6 January 2021. The average sentiment score was 50%, suggesting overall neutral sentiment across all tweets over the study period. Major fluctuations in volume and sentiment appeared to coincide with key changes to any local and/or national social-distancing measures. Tweets around mental health were polarising, discussed with both positive and negative sentiment. Key topics of consistent discussion over the study period included the impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health (both positively and negatively), fear and anxiety over lockdowns, and anger and mistrust toward the government. CONCLUSIONS Through the primary use of an AI-based NLP platform, we were able to rapidly mine and analyse emerging health-related insights from UK tweets into how the pandemic may be impacting people’s mental health and well-being. This type of real-time analysed evidence could act as a useful intelligence source that agencies, local leaders, and health care decision makers can potentially draw from, particularly during a health crisis.

scholarly journals Users and Social Science Research: Policy, Problems and Possibilities

1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rappert
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Policy Problems

Recent times have seen a significant reorientation in public funding for academic research across many countries. Public bodies in the UK have been at the forefront of such activities, typically justified in terms of a need to meet the challenges of international competitiveness and improve quality of life. One set of mechanisms advanced for further achieving these goals is the incorporation of users’ needs into various aspects of the research process. This paper examines some of the consequences of greater user involvement in the UK Economic and Social Research Council by drawing on both empirical evidence and more speculative argumentation. In doing so it poses some of the dilemmas for conceptualizing proper user involvement.

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