RDInfo

This flowchart is for research conducted in England. 
If your research is collaborative between Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or other countries
you must take into account and follow procedures for each of these countries.

1. Turn your idea into a research question

First stages

Where do you start?

• Decide on a general area of interest
• Why does this area interest you?
• Answer the questions:
• What is your aim? (In general terms)
• Are you looking to test a hypothesis? (see section 8 on data analysis)
  • If yes, clearly state your hypothesis in the form of an answerable question or series of answerable questions
  • If no, what are you trying to do?
    • Explore a new area to get basic understanding of something we currently have little knowledge of?
    • Explore an area in which we do have knowledge but in a new/novel way?
    • Explore the relationship between two phenomena for the first time?
• Is your idea novel? (See Section 2 on reviewing the literature)
• Why does it matter?
• How will NHS patients or service users benefit form your research? Consult colleagues and other researchers

Discuss your ideas with others

• Your Research Design Service or your local R&D department?
• Links to Research Design Service (RDS)
• Select your SHA to find all your local trusts and PCT
• Contact your UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Registered Clinical Trials Units in your area
• The R&D Forum maintains list of contacts for R&D Departments in:
  • Local Trusts
  • Local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)
• Ascertain who might be your supervisor or mentor: talk in detail with that person about your potential research project
• Short PowerPoint presentation entitled 'Turning Ideas into Research Questions', by Jon Silcock, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Contact RDDirect for general advice (Helpline 0113 295 1122)
• Contact RDLearning for details of workshops and courses to give you the research skills you need

User Involvement

Involve users at all stages of the research process (See User Involvement section) especially:

• Setting the research agenda (See Section 2 of this flowchart)
• Developing the proposal (See Section 3 of this flowchart)
• During the conduct of the project
• Disseminating results (See Section 10 of this flowchart)

Other issues to consider

• Collaborating with experienced researchers (See Section 3 of this flowchart)
• Having your research proposal peer reviewed at every stage. (See Section 4 of this flowchart)