• Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo
  • Keele University Logo
  • University of Worcester
  • The Clinical Research Network West Midlands Logo

Starting Out in Health and Social Care Research

Get step-by-step guidance on every stage of the research process to kickstart your career in health and social care research.

4.8 (5 reviews)

1,671 enrolled on this course

Table with Research and drawing of a magnifying glass on with different people pointing at different aspects

Starting Out in Health and Social Care Research

4.8 (5 reviews)

1,671 enrolled on this course

  • 8 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Overview
Syllabus
Start dates
Requirements
Educators
Learner reviews
Try it
More courses

Lay the groundwork for your research

Stepping into the world of research can be daunting. So it’s worth doing your research before you begin.

On this course led by experts in health and social care research, you’ll be guided through each phase of the research cycle. From formulating a question to publishing your findings, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to start out as a researcher.

Get advice on how to formulate a research question and take your first steps as a researcher

There are many ways to get involved with research. First, you need to decide what you’re interested in researching, and how much time you can devote to the task.

In the first half of the course, you’ll cover the basics of starting out as a researcher. You’ll learn how to manage your time, balance work and research commitments, and begin formulating that all-important research question.

Learn more about research funding and how to get approval for research projects

To turn your idea into a fully-fledged project, you’ll need to secure funding and apply for approval. In Weeks 5 and 6, you’ll delve into the nitty gritty of research funding, research ethics, and research governance.

Focussing on specific procedures within health and social care, you’ll be advised on how to get research approved and by whom.

Explore ways of sharing research and boosting public engagement

Patient and public involvement and engagement is a vital part of health and social research today. In the final two weeks of the course, you’ll explore ways of involving the public in your project and ensuring its results reach as many people as possible.

From planning to publication, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of key milestones in the research process.

Free upgrade for UK NHS staff

A free upgrade of this course is available for NHS and NHS-affiliated staff. Details below.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 7 seconds Do you work in health and social care? Are you interested in research? Have you ever wondered how could combine research with your existing role but not known where to start? Then our course is perfect for you. This course has been design by health and social care researchers For health and social care staff, looking to take their first steps into research

Skip to 0 minutes and 29 seconds Whether you are new to research or are in need of a refresher to help set you on your way, this course will help build you confidence and prepare you for a for a future in research. Join us on this 8 week course, that explores every aspect of the research cycle from the development of a research idea, all the way through to the implementation of research and practice.

Skip to 0 minutes and 51 seconds We’ll help answer key questions such as: why is research important in health and social care? How can I get involved? Why are research ethics vital? What funding is available to support health and social care research? How can members of the public be involved in research? And how is research published? You will hear from real researchers who talk about their own experiences and share their expertise.

Skip to 1 minute and 18 seconds By the end of the course, we hope you will have discovered how you want to be involved in research and have the knowledge to pursue your own research journey

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Getting started

    • Welcome to the course

      During this first activity, you will be introduced to the course, find out about the course aims, learning outcomes and structure before, finally, being introduced to your educators.

    • Preparing to study research

      You will be introduced to some key research concepts and policies, learn why research is important to health and social care, and explore the structure of a research paper.

    • Reflection and close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Dr Tom Kingstone concludes week 1.

  • Week 2

    Balancing work and research commitments

    • Balancing professional commitments with research ambitions

      Explore strategies and tips for incorporating research into your current work commitments.

    • Reflection and close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Professor Kay Stevenson concludes week 2.

  • Week 3

    Getting involved in research

    • The research process

      We introduce the week and you will explore the typical stages of a research project from start to finish. This will help to set the context when thinking about opportunities to get involved in research.

    • Journeys into research

      In this section, you will have the opportunity to plan your own route into research. You will also hear from real-life health and social care professionals about their journeys into research.

    • Reflection and close

      In this activity, we will reflect on and conclude week 3.

  • Week 4

    Developing a research idea

    • What's next for your research idea?

      In this activity we explore how to develop a research question and find out more about the different types of research.

    • Research Tools

      In this activity you will be exploring some of the tools and techniques you can use to search for research content online.

    • Reflection and Close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Claire Charnley concludes week 4.

  • Week 5

    Finding and securing research funding

    • Research funding

      Throughout this activity you will learn which are the main funding organisations for research in social care and health, how you can apply for funding and advice on how to best to complete funding applications.

    • Reflection and Close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Professor Saeed Farooq concludes week 5.

  • Week 6

    Obtaining approvals for research

    • Research approval

      This activity will introduce you to the concept of research ethics, and research governance. You will also explore what is considered ethical good quality research.

    • Research support services

      Here we focus on some of the services and initiatives that are available to help you to obtain the necessary approvals and enable you to deliver research in health and social care.

    • Reflection and close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Frances Davies concludes week 6.

  • Week 7

    Involving members of the public in research

    • Members of the public and your research

      This activity will highlight the aims of involving the public in research, ways to support this within the research process and consider the impact of PPIE on the volunteers themselves.

    • Reflection and close

      Listen to our early career research Jay's thoughts on what she has learnt this week, and Adele Higginbottom concludes week 7.

  • Week 8

    Sharing research with others

    • Article types

      Dr Paul Campbell introduces week 8 and we will explore the different types of publications.

    • Getting your work published

      Throughout this activity, you will learn how to write a paper, how to get your paper published as well as explore how to disseminate your work.

    • Reflection and close

      In this activity, we will reflect on and conclude week 8. We will also look back over the course and discuss your next steps into research.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain why research is important to health and social care
  • Reflect on the benefits and challenges of blending existing roles with research
  • Investigate different opportunities to get involved in research
  • Compare different research questions and types
  • Identify and examine research funding opportunities
  • Discuss the role and function of research governance
  • Assess the contribution members of the public make to research
  • Explore different ways in which research is shared with others

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for health and social care professionals in any field who are planning to get involved in research.

Whether you’re a brand new or a returning researcher, you’ll gain the guidance you need to enter the world of research with confidence and insight.

A free upgrade for this course is available for NHS staff by registering here https://verify.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/63bf6b04-0598-475b-afde-215d42ad2b56 .

The free upgrade is also available to NHS-affiliated staff. Check eligibility https://verify.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/eligibility .

Who will you learn with?

Tom Kingstone

I am a Lecturer in Mental Health and Wellbeing at Keele University and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. I have expertise in qualitative methodologies and have led large research grants.

Karl Gimblett

I'm a lecturer in Clinical Education at Keele University. My interests are curriculum design, simulation and online teaching and learning.

Who developed the course?

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

MPFT are one of the largest integrated Health and Social Care providers in the UK, working with world class academics, high quality leaders and teams to create and deliver outstanding healthcare research.

Keele University

Located in the Staffordshire countryside and just five miles from Stoke-on-Trent, Keele is world-renowned for its breadth of teaching and research that tackles the world’s most urgent problems

University of Worcester

The University of Worcester is a close-knit and high-achieving community where students are supported to succeed at every level.

The Clinical Research Network West Midlands

The CRN West Midlands provides the infrastructure that allows high-quality research to take place in the area, so that people can benefit from new and better care and treatments.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$109/one-off payment

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 4 Feb 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 4 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

1.6
video

Why health and social care research is important

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

More courses you might like

Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.

NHS Leadership Academy & London Race Strategy
New

Core Managers: Leading Inclusivity within LGBTQIA+

4 weeks

2 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Find out more
University of Groningen & University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
New

Cancer Fundamentals: Introduction to Basic and Clinical Oncology

3 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Find out more
University of York
New

Graduates into Work: North Yorkshire - ‘Finding Your Why’

2 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Find out more

Browse more in Healthcare & Medicine and Study Skills

Clinical Research · Public Health · Social Care
View all courses

Find the right course for you

See your personalised recommendations based on your interests and goals.

Get started