Get research started

Resources compiled by the Network for clinical academics, to help them get started in community rehabilitation-based research projects.

For researchers at all levels, we have put together a list of research activities, links to a range of video resources and links to UK research priority lists.

If you are not ready to get your own research ideas started, a good first step can be to get involved with existing research or get inspiration from others, for example from the series of case studies we are compiling.

Suggested research activities

Opportunities for health and social care practitioners to get involved with research include:

Volunteer to be a participant in an existing research study. For example
Take part in patient and public involvement (PPI) and engagement activities. For example
Join stakeholder advisory groups to support co-design research. For example, become a CRRN stakeholder or Support research without taking part in studies|NIHR
Within your team, help with collecting data or delivering interventions as part of an existing study that is already up and running. For example, search for current UK trials that might be happening at your organisation
Get a job as a research assistant. For example, use research as a search term on job sites: Search for jobs in the NHS and Indeed
Get involved with local quality improvement projects: A simple guide to improving services and Quality improvement resource for adult social care
Become a local PI (Primary Investigator) or Associate PI for a multicenter trial, or start working with a Clinical Trials Unit team: Registered Clinical Trials Units
Undertake a Master of Research degree (MRes). For example, the NIHR INSIGHT scheme to get students involved in research
Become a clinical academic [PDF].

Case studies

Here are some examples of clinical academics from different professional backgrounds who have shared their motivations, challenges, and what they have learned.

Schematic of the clinical academic journey infographic developed by CRRN Founder member Jackie McRae.
Case Study of Jia’s Journey to be a community physiotherapist and early career researcher

Video resources

It can be useful to hear from people working in health and social care about their research, tips and impact that can benefit communities:

Why take part in research?
The NIHR YouTube channel has a range of videos for researchers throughout their career pathway
INSIGHT: Inspiring students into research scheme
The CAHPR showcase Allied Health Professional researchers from different regions of the UK
Wessex REACH have a number of useful video resources to support community researchers
The impact of research after it has been implemented is important. Here is a community case study about a Welsh Health Board that has implemented evidence-based integrated care
The NIHR-supported Research Design Network (RDN) has informative videos
To identify help research career development goals see this introduction to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF).

UK research priorities

When you are considering your research ideas, it can be useful to understand where they fit within current research priorities that have been identified by specialist research organisations.

Discipline specific research priorities

National research priorities

Some of these organisations may also be potential funders once you have developed and refined your research proposal. However, it is important to target funding that is appropriate to your level of research so there is further advice on where to get funding support and guidance in the funding section.

This Incubator is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The views expressed here are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Supported by NIRH - National Instituted for Health and Care Research