HEALER Research Toolkit
 

• What is your aim? (In general terms)
• What is your research question? (In specific terms) 
• Is your research question expressed in a way that is effective for collecting the right data?  
• Is there a hypothesis that relates to your research question? (In specific terms) 
• Do you have clear, actionable objectives? 
• Is your idea novel/new?  NB In the case of service improvement it may not need to be ‘novel’.  (See Step 2 on Reviewing the Literature)
• What is the scope of your intended project? 
• Why does your research matter?
• Who will benefit from your research?  NHS staff, students, patients/service users?  Or the "NHS organisation"?  

It is important to consider the above aspects carefully in order that you are able to turn your initial idea into a realistic and workable research question.  Make sure you spend some time discussing your ideas with others who may include some or all of the following:

• Local library network
• LKSL (Library and Knowledge Services Leads) http://www.libraryservices.nhs.uk/home.html
• Line manager
• Tutor or supervisor
• Local R&D department
• Local University Department of Information and Library Studies
• Local University Health Faculty’s research staff
• Make use of the email discussion lists – e.g. JISCMAIL LIS-Medical  LIS-LIRG or HEALER
• Also look at the web sites of LIRG and the LIS Research Coalition (the LIS Research Coalition was a 3 year project that has now ended, however the work that was generated by the work of the Coalition has created a wealth of useful LIS research information and resources which are all available from the web site).
   

Other Useful Sources

• Research Funding for LIS: An extensive list provided by the LIS Reserach Coalition of research funders for LIS 
• RDFunding: For general advice
  RDFunding is a resource hosted by Leeds University providing information about funding and training opportunities for UK health professionals
• Research Design Service: For support in designing large-scale research contracts funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
• NHS R&D Forum: For those involved in managing and supporting research and development (R&D) in health and social care settings

 
User Involvement

Consider how to involve users at all stages of the research process especially:

• Setting the research agenda (See Step 2 on Reviewing the Literature)
• Developing the proposal (See Step 3 on Designing the Study and Developing Your Methods)
• During the conduct of the project
• Disseminating results (See Step 10 on Reporting on the Study and Disseminating the Findings) 

Other Issues to Consider

• Collaborating with experienced researchers (See Step 3 on Designing the Study and Developing Your Methods)
• Ethics: Ethical issues are an important consideration for any research project and you should give serious thought to this at a very early stage in your research.  (See Step 6 on Obtaining Ethical and Trust Approval)
• Having your research proposal peer reviewed at every stage. (See Step 4 on Writing Your Proposal For Formal Research)
• What will you do with the research once it is complete?