To answer the hypothesis or research question from the study protocol, you will need to collect and analyse data.
Data collection forms and study databases do not need to be included in your research application. You will, however, need to summarise your data collection plans in the protocol.
Sometimes, there are different types of data you could collect to answer the research question. This can mean the best way forward is unclear. If this is the case, it may be useful to consider:
- Are there certain types of data that clinical services focus on? Such as health improvement, quality of life, service times, etc.
- If you break down your protocol into service user/carer visits, what assessments are normally carried out, and what data is collected?
- What data has other literature looked at?
- Are there any barriers? For instance, study practicalities, ability to compare with other data and draw conclusions?
- Which areas matter most to service users and carers?
If your study is taking place through a university course or applying for funding, it may be possible to access support from a statistician or methodologist.
Timescales are vital. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need for data collection. This part of your study may take longer than you expect.
Data collection methods
The data collection methods you use will depend on what is needed for the study. However you proceed, you will need to take steps to ensure that data collection is accurate and secure.
Some key questions to consider:
- Is it better to use physical or electronic data collection methods (or both)?
- Where should the research data be stored to ensure restricted access?
- Is there a need to analyse any personal data? For example, demographics information.
- If the answer to the previous question is yes, will consent be sought for this? What steps can be taken to protect anonymity? For instance, removing participant names and using a unique study reference number instead.
- If research data is to be collected from outside of our trust, what secure data transfer method will you use? For example, nhs.net secure email transfer (following our email procedure) or using a secure, approved electronic database.
- Is there a time limit on when certain data can be collected? As an example, if you were looking at questionnaire responses at a service user’s usual 3 month visit and the 3 month visit was moved to a later date, could this data still be collected?
- Will you be doing home visits, clinic visits, Teams calls or phone calls? Does this affect the data collection?
- Will you need any equipment for data collection, such as Dictaphones? And will you need any outside services, such as transcription support or database access? Any needs like this should be discussed with our team before purchase. This is because the Trust requires a high level of encryption for devices and therefore the Information Security department may need to be involved. Also there may be due diligence checks needed for outside services that are not on an existing approved vendors list.
You must be familiar with our trust’s Information Sharing and Information Security procedures. These are available for staff on our intranet. If you do not have access, please get in touch and we can share these with you. You need to ensure that you don’t send personal data to anyone who should not have access.
If you are unsure about any data collection arrangements then please contact our research and development team for help.
