This course covers the early stages of trainee research, specifically the production of a proposal for their major research project and a proposed outline for an accompanying systematic review.

Trainees attend lectures and workshops underpinning the development of practical research skills, to enable them to conceptualise and plan a systematic literature review and empirical research project.

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

A considerable amount of time in this process involves private study on the part of the trainee. One day per week is allocated in the timetable for this.

None

None

Major research project proposal - 3,000 words (100%)

■ To give an overview of ethical and research governance issues in clinical psychology research.

■ To introduce systematic approaches to searching for and identifying literature for review.

■ To assist trainees to conceptualise, design and complete a clinically relevant systematic literature review and critically appraise the research literature using appropriate standards.

■ To help trainees produce a research proposal for a feasible project in a clinically relevant area derived from appropriate psychological theory.

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. Describe and discuss the principles, practice, and procedures involved in research and ethical governance, in line with current legislation, and including informed consent and incapacity

2. Develop an outline proposal that demonstrates skills in designing a systematic review that addresses a clinically relevant issue, incorporates explicit and reproducible search methodology and includes critical appraisal of methodological quality of the studies included in the review

3. Demonstrate skills in the design of clinically relevant research, including identification of suitable research questions, along with appropriate methods and analyses through which to address them

4. Be able to consider practical aspects of research design including costs and health and safety issues

5. Produce a research proposal that is ready for supervisory and ethical approval, detailing the research protocol and considering plans for future dissemination.

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