Trainees produce a doctoral thesis in the form of a clinical research portfolio including systematic review, major project proposal, major project paper and plain language summary.

Trainees attend regular research supervision sessions with their academic supervisor and field supervisor (if applicable), to support them in their completion of the systematic review and major research project.

A considerable amount of time in this process involves private study and data collection on the part of the Trainee. One day per week is allocated in the timetable for this, as well as several additional study days prior to the portfolio submission date.

Trainees submit the final portfolio in Year 3 and complete a viva voce examination which determines the degree outcome.

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Clinical Research Portfolio - maximum 30,000 words (100%) examined by viva.

1. To produce a piece of innovative, applied scientific research of theoretical and clinical relevance to the clinical psychology community.

2. To support trainees to develop and demonstrate doctoral-level research skills.

All learning outcomes are benchmarked to the standards of proficiency and the competence frameworks stipulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Conduct a piece of theoretically and clinically relevant research

2. Access, review, critically appraise and synthesise extant evidence pertaining to a research topic

3. Formulate a scientific research question

4. Use contemporary research methods to obtain, prepare and analyse data relevant to the research question, using appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods

5. Report findings clearly, in a manner acceptable to the wider scientific community

6. Critically appraise the limitations of the research

7. Discuss key ethical issues relating to the research

8. Critically appraise the contribution of the research to the current literature and clearly summarise future clinical and research implications

9. Produce two scientific papers in the format of a recognised and appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.