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Research essentials How to develop your idea into a research project that is practical and achieves its aims WE ALL SEE, read and hear things that can make us question why certain actions are performed in the way they are, or wonder how systems, processes or treatment could be improved for children, young people and their families. However, these thoughts can dissipate when other demands compete for our attention. A useful starting point in developing a project is to write the question down along with what prompted it; your query may be vague and need refining at this stage. Next, look for literature or evidence on this topic that may already exist. Librarians can help you to develop search terms. If your question has already been answered then explore what other research is needed and think if this is something you would like to develop further. If your developing question has not been addressed then start to use what you have been reading to refine your question further by becoming more specific about what aspects of the topic or phenomenon you would like to focus on. This involves developing some structure around your aims – what you want to find out – and objectives – how you will find it out. It can be useful to talk to colleagues about your question to discover if it is a relevant one to ask and whether it is researchable. Your research department or researchers in your workplace should be able to offer support and guidance. There may also be opportunities at work to speak to groups of children, young people or parents about your developing idea and seek their opinion and feedback.
Geek speak Research A process of steps used to collect and analyse information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue.
MPhil Master of Philosophy. PhD Doctor of Philosophy. 12 April 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 3
iStock
MRes Master of Research.
Figure 1 Developing a research project Searching and reading the literature
Ideas and general topic of interest
Focused area of interest and developing question
Refined question and developing aims and objectives
General project plan (methods, population, ethical implications)
Focused project proposal
Sharing ideas of the developing project
When you are clear about your question, aims and objectives, the next stage involves developing methods to help you answer the query. It is also important to think about the population you would need to recruit or access. Goals Identifying a problem and then a question, and thinking through the process of how it might work as a project is often a lengthy and creative process. It is important to be realistic about your goals. There is little point in planning a complicated randomised controlled trial to test an intervention if this is your first attempt at research, unless you have an experienced team to work with. It may be worth undertaking your project as part of an academic qualification, such as an MRes or MPhil/PhD, as this would give you some structured support. As with any new knowledge or skill, it is important to seek help at an early stage from a more experienced colleague. When considering whether the question is actually researchable, you need to take into account the time needed, funding, researcher expertise, availability of people to take part and if any expensive or new facilities or equipment may be needed. Research requires specific approval, particularly in terms of ethical considerations, and you will need to comply with local policy and national guidance. Depending on the nature of your question, your project may be better approached as an audit or service evaluation/improvement project, and guidance on these can be found on the
Health Research Authority website. Defining whether your project is audit/service evaluation or research is important as this will help you work out what processes, approvals, skills or support you may require. Figure 1 suggests that developing ideas into a project is a linear process. In reality, refining a question and developing a project is a fluid process that sometimes feels like you are going round in circles, but investing time and effort at this early stage can prevent you starting a project that is either unfeasible or unworkable. Key messages ■■ Developing a project from an idea can be lengthy but rewarding and can influence nursing practice. ■■ Do not go it alone. Share your ideas with colleagues and research departments. Resources Health Research Authority, tinyurl.com/nahsfwv NHS National Institute for Health Research, www.nihr.ac.uk Medical Research Council, tiny.cc/dqnpcx National Research Ethics Service, www.nres.nhs.uk Lucy Bray is reader in children, young people and families, Edge Hill University and Children’s Nursing Research Unit, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Sue Chapman is nurse consultant, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, London NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
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Research essentials How to develop your idea into a research project that is practical and achieves its aims WE ALL SEE, read and hear things that can make us question why certain actions are performed in the way they are, or wonder how systems, processes or treatment could be improved for children, young people and their families. However, these thoughts can dissipate when other demands compete for our attention. A useful starting point in developing a project is to write the question down along with what prompted it; your query may be vague and need refining at this stage. Next, look for literature or evidence on this topic that may already exist. Librarians can help you to develop search terms. If your question has already been answered then explore what other research is needed and think if this is something you would like to develop further. If your developing question has not been addressed then start to use what you have been reading to refine your question further by becoming more specific about what aspects of the topic or phenomenon you would like to focus on. This involves developing some structure around your aims – what you want to find out – and objectives – how you will find it out. It can be useful to talk to colleagues about your question to discover if it is a relevant one to ask and whether it is researchable. Your research department or researchers in your workplace should be able to offer support and guidance. There may also be opportunities at work to speak to groups of children, young people or parents about your developing idea and seek their opinion and feedback.
Geek speak Research A process of steps used to collect and analyse information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue.
MPhil Master of Philosophy. PhD Doctor of Philosophy. 12 April 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 3
iStock
MRes Master of Research.
Figure 1 Developing a research project Searching and reading the literature
Ideas and general topic of interest
Focused area of interest and developing question
Refined question and developing aims and objectives
General project plan (methods, population, ethical implications)
Focused project proposal
Sharing ideas of the developing project
When you are clear about your question, aims and objectives, the next stage involves developing methods to help you answer the query. It is also important to think about the population you would need to recruit or access. Goals Identifying a problem and then a question, and thinking through the process of how it might work as a project is often a lengthy and creative process. It is important to be realistic about your goals. There is little point in planning a complicated randomised controlled trial to test an intervention if this is your first attempt at research, unless you have an experienced team to work with. It may be worth undertaking your project as part of an academic qualification, such as an MRes or MPhil/PhD, as this would give you some structured support. As with any new knowledge or skill, it is important to seek help at an early stage from a more experienced colleague. When considering whether the question is actually researchable, you need to take into account the time needed, funding, researcher expertise, availability of people to take part and if any expensive or new facilities or equipment may be needed. Research requires specific approval, particularly in terms of ethical considerations, and you will need to comply with local policy and national guidance. Depending on the nature of your question, your project may be better approached as an audit or service evaluation/improvement project, and guidance on these can be found on the
Health Research Authority website. Defining whether your project is audit/service evaluation or research is important as this will help you work out what processes, approvals, skills or support you may require. Figure 1 suggests that developing ideas into a project is a linear process. In reality, refining a question and developing a project is a fluid process that sometimes feels like you are going round in circles, but investing time and effort at this early stage can prevent you starting a project that is either unfeasible or unworkable. Key messages ■■ Developing a project from an idea can be lengthy but rewarding and can influence nursing practice. ■■ Do not go it alone. Share your ideas with colleagues and research departments. Resources Health Research Authority, tinyurl.com/nahsfwv NHS National Institute for Health Research, www.nihr.ac.uk Medical Research Council, tiny.cc/dqnpcx National Research Ethics Service, www.nres.nhs.uk Lucy Bray is reader in children, young people and families, Edge Hill University and Children’s Nursing Research Unit, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Sue Chapman is nurse consultant, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, London NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
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