We can provide a wide range of support and guide you step-by-step.
Confirming that the study is research
It is important to confirm that your idea is definitely research. This is because a study can turn out to be a service evaluation or clinical audit which have a different application process.
If a study is research, it proceeds through a national approval process. Service evaluations and clinical audits are reviewed by the local Clinical Audit and Effectiveness team [email protected].
A difference between research and service evaluation is that research attempts to gain new generalisable knowledge. In other words, the findings are of relevance to the wider NHS.
There is a ‘defining research’ guidance table and an ‘is it research?’ decision tool available on the Health Research Authority website.
If in doubt, our Research and Development team are happy to help confirm the definition and which route to follow.
Developing your research idea
Review current evidence
If you have a research topic or idea in mind, we recommend you look into if there is any existing evidence, as this may influence how you prepare your study.
Our library service can carry out a search of existing literature and evidence for you. To access this support, you just need to complete a brief request form. This is available by contacting [email protected].
You can then look at the existing evidence to see if there are any themes, helpful suggestions or knowledge gaps that would be useful for your research to explore.
You could also investigate whether there are other studies taking place which involve a similar topic. The Be Part of Research website may be helpful. If you struggle to locate relevant information online, then please contact our Research and Development team to see if we can help.
Access guidance on research design
National Research Support Service
The Research Support Service from the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) provides support on topics such as developing a funding application, research methods and involving patients and the public.
Local Research Support Services
The local Research Support Services (RSS) are North East and North Cumbria and Yorkshire and Humber. They may be able to provide statistical and methodological guidance. Advice is confidential and free of charge.
North East North Cumbria can be contacted at:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0191 208 7000
- Or you can use the form on their website to request support.
Yorkshire and Humber can be contacted at:
- Email: [email protected]
- You can use the form on their website to request support
Medconnect North
For studies involving medical devices, technology, or software (e.g., research involving an ‘app’) the Medconnect North service can help. They can support you to develop your research idea, apply for funding, apply for approvals, and arrange statistical and methodological guidance. Please contact them through their Medconnect website or we can contact them on your behalf.
Other support
Outside of these support networks, you can discuss with us whether there are other options for support. For instance, colleagues with research experience or universities. Each Trust specialty has a research lead and research champions, and our team has links to various regional and national contacts.
Consult with service users and members of the public – patient and public Involvement (PPI)
We strongly encourage you to engage patients and the public when developing your research study. Through PPI activities such as focus groups and interviews you can gain valuable feedback on your research question, project design and the best approach for carrying out the study within the NHS.
There is more information on the Health Authority Research website about the importance and benefits of Public Involvement. We will support and encourage you to involve patients and the public at the earliest opportunity.
Can you involve ‘peer researchers’ (also known as ‘persons with lived experience’ and ‘survivor researchers’)?
We strongly encourage you to consider whether you could involve ‘peer researchers’ in your research study. This means including a person to help develop or carry out your study, who has personal experience of the condition you are studying. The Centre for Mental Health provide a useful guide to the benefits of taking this approach. Our Research and Development team can provide advice and support.
Good clinical practice training
If you have not recently completed Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training we recommend you register. The training advises on different aspects of carrying out a research study and is internationally recognised.
The training can be accessed at NIHR Learn and is free for people supporting research delivery in the NHS.
Arranging a research sponsor
All NHS and social care research needs an organisation to act as the sponsor. The sponsor is responsible for working with the researchers to manage and monitor the study. Further guidance about the sponsor’s role is available from the Health Research Authority or in our Research and Development Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
If you are already meeting with our Research and Development team, we will use this meeting to clarify which organisation will act as sponsor. If you have any queries about sponsorship then please email [email protected].
For studies being sponsored by our trust, we will carry out a brief initial risk assessment to confirm if we are happy in principle for sponsorship to proceed. A more detailed review of the study and sponsor oversight arrangements will be carried out later once the full research application is ready for review.
