RDInfo ‘Research Support at Your Fingertips’ Mike Bellhouse Project Manager – RDDirect 24 th March 2009

Presentation Flow Background Operational Objectives Individual Service Features Research Process Flowchart Our Customers Comments

Background A trio of national advisory services for researchers within the fields of health and social care Funded by the Department of Health Created as a support function for R&D For new and experienced researchers alike One-stop-shop for researchers seeking access to funding awards, advice and training opportunities

Operational Objectives To provide ‘equal access’ to our services irrespective of the researcher’s status, employment/academic base, geographical location or level of research experience To establish and maintain partnerships with locally based R&D Departments, networks and RDSs To willingly share ideas and resources in the spirit of building research awareness and capacity

RDFunding Set up in 1997 A unique resource providing researchers with access to the latest information on health-related research funding opportunities Currently holds details of over 5500 different awards from over 1400 organisations worth an estimated £2.5 billion

RDFunding RDInfo offers an service to keep you updated on any new funding opportunities in your chosen research area(s) Special Editions produced focus on UKCRN Specialty Groups – eg. Mental Health, Stroke, Cancer …..

RDDirect Set up in 2001, RDDirect offers an informative website and a telephone help-line available to researchers at all levels The team will take your enquiry and signpost the most relevant sources of information or advice Supported by dedicated advisors who cover the health and social care spectrum, and are happy to speak to researchers on a one-to-one basis

RDDirect The telephone helpdesk is available Monday to Friday 8.00am pm The website offers numerous self-help links to useful information including research methodology, searchable databases, free statistical software and our highly acclaimed Research Process Flowchart

RDLearning Launched in 2002, RDLearning is a website detailing information on post-qualification training courses offered by Universities, Research Networks and Professional Bodies with an emphasis on research It gives access to up to date information on over 7000 courses, conferences, short courses and workshops in the UK and selected events in Europe

RDLearning The RDLearning database is fully searchable by geographical location, qualification, institution and keywords Each course featured on the website comes complete with comprehensive details The website has an online course submission form, which organisations can use to send details of their own courses to appear on the website

1. Turn your idea into a research question 2. Review the literature 3. Design the study and develop your methods 4. Writing your research proposal 5. Issues about funding 6. Obtain ethical and trust approval 7. Collect and collate the data 8. Analyse the data and interpret findings 10. Report on the study and disseminate the findings 9. Implications of your research for clinical practice

Why use our services? Easily accessed and user friendly Run by professional, knowledgeable staff Access to a panel of advisors Self help facilities on all websites Research Flowchart with in-built web links to take you through your research project step-by-step Data mapped to UKCRN specialty groups

Who uses our services? Hospital-based professionals (doctors, nurses) R&D departments, research networks, RDSs Allied Health Professionals ( physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists) Community-based practitioners (GPs, practice nurses) Postgraduate students Organisations (professional bodies, universities)

What our customers say ‘I find this service invaluable, it provides me with the information I need and also reduces the amount of time I have to spend searching for funding opportunities’ (RDFunding) ‘I am sure I will contact you again as you have been extremely supportive’ (RDDirect) ‘Sensational - the information available on our courses is fantastic’ (RDLearning) ‘The research process flowchart is a most valuable resource’ (General)

RDFunding RDDirect RDLearning