Guidance for new researchers
An idea for a research project can strike at any time - but
people often get stuck at the "what to do next" stage. Please read
our SOP Developing
and Designing your research study.
We have a simple form for initial drafts of potential grant
applications that can help you get down your ideas - Research proposal draft template.
We run workshops on applying for funding and getting started in
research - see Events
page.
The following points are put together from comments and talks by
funders and researchers; with links to some useful presentations at
the bottom of the page.
What to do first
- You will need to do a literature (background) search to find
out what other research has been done in similar areas, or if the
idea is for a new product/device, to find out what is already
available. The library (Level 5,
Education and Research Centre) can provide training on literature
searching, and can also conduct searches for you.
- Talk to colleagues about your idea - do they think it's worth
doing?
- You can also talk to patients (and or friends/family)
informally about your idea - do they think it's worth doing?
Patient and public involvement is needed for grant applications,
and will need to be developed more as your application
progresses.
- Think about who you can collaborate with - if you are
inexperienced in research, you will need to collaborate with more
experienced people - these may be within or outside UHBW. One of
our experienced consultants advises potential new researchers to
"lash yourself to the mast of a successful research ship".
- Write down your ideas. Help is available, but if you want to be
successful in research you will need to learn the skill of writing
good applications.
- Think about who you will need to involve, and what you will
need (funding, equipment).
- If your idea is for a new device/product, do not talk to any
commercial companies without first discussing with the Research
& Development team (the company and you will have to sign
non-disclosure agreements before discussions can take place).
Contact research@uhbw.nhs.uk
Things to be aware of
- It takes time to develop a good application, and only the very
best get funded
- You will need the right team in order to carry out any
research; this is one of the key things funders look for.
- Start small; there are local funding
schemes available that allow you to undertake preliminary or
feasibility work, or to backfill clinical time.
- If you have an idea for a larger (and expensive) study, you
will need to talk to experienced colleagues and get their help and
advice - be aware that they may need to be the named Principal
Investigator on large applications.
- People who succeed are those who take time to prepare the
application, get the right people involved (relevant expertise) and
have regular team meetings to discuss the project. You should
not be the only person to have seen your idea before applying for
funding.
Support and Advice
Talk to colleagues and the clinical teams in your department.
You will need their support in order to carry out any research.
Information on methodological
support in developing NIHR and some other applications
is given on the Apply for and cost
research page. Contact the UHBW Research
Grants Manager if you'd like to discuss your idea and how to
proceed: elinor.griffiths@uhbw.nhs.uk.
You may find it useful to use this form as guidance
for the type of things you need to consider, and to start writing
down your ideas.
Library and Information
Services and
Connect page
The UHBW Library offers training and literature searches,
critical appraisal and basic stats. They will also
perform literature searches on request.
Links to presentations on grant funding
