Program Overview

Do you want to lead, direct or manage clinical research? Interprofessional teams of clinical researchers are needed in order to bridge a transitional gap between scientific innovation and healthcare, and to optimise patient care and ensure efficiency of costs for healthcare providers. This programme provides in-depth training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and equips you with the skills to direct, develop, manage and deliver research in any clinical setting.

This programme originated as a result of close collaboration with the NIHR, HEE and the student voice. The programme offers either full-time or flexible part-time pathways, designed to accommodate busy clinical caseloads/postgraduate occupations. The interprofessional programme is delivered via a structured pathway with core modules building on each other, providing skills in literature searching and implementing findings to the workplace; designing research protocols; understanding applied qualitative and quantitative methods; and undertaking a clinically relevant research project.

The full programme involves four 20-credit modules and an 80-credit dissertation module as core elements, plus an additional optional 20-credit module.

Key features

• Aligned with National Health Service England (NHSE) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) objectives: To develop a research active workforce, skilled in evidence-based practice and research leadership.
• Programme delivery via flexible and blended learning – experience an inclusive curriculum designed specifically for health professionals, continually developed in line with student feedback. This currently features 2–3-day face-to-face study blocks and supported distance learning.
• Study full-time over 1 year or part-time over 2 years.
• Receive mentorship and supervision from experienced clinical academic researchers. A research mentorship 'mini-module' is available.
• Develop a critical understanding of research.
• Learn advanced qualitative methods and analysis using a variety of approaches.
• Incorporates quantitative study designs such as RCTs and observational studies.
• Join the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research to further engage with contemporary clinical research during and beyond your studies.
• Progress your career and become a leader in clinical research with a programme that provides both theoretical and first-hand practical experience of the whole research process from developing a clinically relevant question through to implementing research in clinical practice.