1. Getting started in a research degree
Dr Joanna Kidd

2. Why do a research degree?
You have a burning clinical question that you want to answer
Your patients need you to be an evidence-based clinician, and for you that means contributing new knowledge to the field
Doing research is incorporated into some job descriptions
To gain skills that you can’t learn solely ‘on the job’
To change your career pathway/ improve your prospects
To challenge yourself
To keep your brain stimulated
Because it’s there!

3. What’s involved?
Design, conduct, and complete, an original research project, and write it up as a thesis.
Supervised by university academic(s) who whose job is to advise you about each stage of your project.
No classes to attend
No exams or assignments
Meet regularly with your supervisor(s)
It is your responsibility to keep the project progressing
Deadlines include the final completion date, agreed dates for annual reviews and presentations etc.

4. Types of research degree
Masters by research: Produce a supervised thesis.
Completion time: 1-2 years (full-time)
Suitable for:
Clinicians without prerequisites in research methods
Clinicians who want to ‘start out small’ or who have limited time
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Produce a large supervised thesis.
Completion time: 3 years (full-time)
Clinicians with research experience and prerequisite research skills
Clinicians who have time to pursue a larger research agenda
Clinicians who have completed part of a Masters by research and are eligible to transfer to PhD.

5. Getting started: developing an idea
Develop an idea of what you want to do a project on.
Your idea does not need to be polished (yet).
Ideas can come from:
A clinical observation/question you want to pursue
A paper you found interesting/controversial
Something that is lacking/requires improvement in your health service
Something your team is interested in
You need to be passionate about it!

6. Getting started: developing an idea
Do some reading.
Look at some key papers and new literature in the area of interest
Get a feel for new ideas/controversies/culture shifts
Get to know the key authors in the area
Look at abstracts from recent key conferences in the area. What is the current thinking? What techniques are being used?

7. Getting started: finding a supervisor
Look for university academic(s) who could supervise you
How many supervisors?
Varies between institutions—check the guidelines
Typically a primary supervisor and at least one co-supervisor
Potential for including an industry expert (e.g., a senior clinician)
Where do I start looking?
Local authors of the studies you have read
Search websites of local and interstate universities
(an interstate supervisor can be workable, but it is advisable to also have local supervisors who can oversee day-to-day issues with the project)
Ask around among your colleagues regarding university connections

8. Getting started: finding a supervisor (cont…)
Who?
Target someone who:
Has expertise around the area you want to research
Has experience in research and student supervision (look at their staff profile to find out)
Has the skills/knowledge needed
Suits your availability/is like-minded/has a complementary work ethic/suits your learning style.
These aspects of your supervisor, rather than the prestige of the institution, is the most important consideration.

9. Getting started: Meeting a potential supervisor
Send an /phone to arrange a meeting.
Tell them about:
your clinical and research interests
the reading you have been doing
why you think they would be a suitable supervisor for you
Ask them about:
their current research interests
their current research students
their current research funding and collaborations
See if you meet each other’s needs

10. Getting started: Next steps
Once you have locked in a supervisor:
Make an arrangement with your employer
Can parts of the project be done in work hours? Alter work hours?
Can you invite patients from your workplace to be part of the study?
Enrol as a student:
Some universities have ‘enrolment periods’ (times of year during which you can enrol). Check with your university for details.
If you need to wait for an enrolment period, start reading/writing while you wait.
Part time/full time?

11. Getting started: Next steps (cont…)
Once you have locked in a supervisor:
Narrow down research questions and design studies
Create a time-line for completion
Apply for ethics clearance
Look for research funding/scholarships
Get started and keep to your timeline

12. Getting started: Next steps (cont…)
Plan to develop skills:
Know how to find & manage research evidence
Library workshops: CIAP & Endnote workshops
Know how to critically appraise literature
Systematic review/meta-analysis workshop
Know how to analyse and present data
Qualitative and quantitative analysis workshops; Data visualisation workshop
Present your proposal and findings as much as you can
Know how to write
Writing workshops
Learn to understand the research of others (essential!!!)
Go to LOTS of research seminars

13. Words of encouragement
It won’t be easy but you will learn a great deal
If you stick to your timeline, the end will always be in sight
Your research will enrich your clinical practice.
Your patients and colleagues want you to succeed
Your contribution to research is recognised and appreciated by SWSLHD