Teaching and learning

The MClinRes is run by a team of experts in clinical research drawn from a wide range of disciplines including nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry, dietetics, social work and sociology, podiatry, paramedicine, medicine, health economics as well as representatives from patient and public support groups, the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit, the Research Design Service and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care. Support and mentorship are available to facilitate you in your journey on the clinical academic career pathway.

The programme will be delivered by blended learning, in one year full time or on a part time basis. It is a 180 credit course of which 160 credits are assigned to core modules (including 80 credits to the research dissertation) and 20 credits to an optional module. 

Face to face learning will include practical sessions (for example, in qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis), tutorials and case study scenarios (for example, research bids/service development and evaluations). 

Distance learning will include work-based learning, telephone tutorials, webinars, electronic discussion groups, Skype tutorials, interaction through the Moodle digital learning environment alongside self-directed learning. Podcasts and media materials such as video are used where appropriate.

On completion of the MClinRes, you’ll be able to demonstrate skills in:

  • critical reviewing of the evidence based using targeted literature searches
  • protocol design and development
  • research management and governance
  • generating and analysing quantitative and qualitative data
  • including patients and public to participate in the generation of research questions, the research process and its management and in the dissemination of findings
  • dissemination and implementation of research in the NHS 
  • health economics and the evaluation of cost effectiveness.

Core modules

Pathways in this programme will include four core modules: applying evidence to practice, project design for research, applied qualitative research methods and applied quantitative research methods, as well as the research dissertation.

Optional modules

One optional module can be taken from the wide range of profession specific and research related M-level modules available in the Faculty of Health. Potential optional modules include: 

  • management of long-term conditions
  • evaluating outcomes in practice 
  • health and social care futures
  • contemporary Issues in leadership.

An additional ten credit research management and mentorship module will facilitate students at the end of the MClinRes to take their research dissertation to the next level and explore presenting, publishing and applying for further grant funding. The module costs are covered by the HEE/NHR funded places.

Visiting lecturers

External lecturers include:

  • Dr Siobhan Creanor: Statistician Centre for Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics
  • Jane Vickery: Senior Trial Manager in the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)-registered Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit at University of Plymouth
  • Andy Barton: Head of the Plymouth office of the Research Design Service
  • Dr Chris Rollinson: Research and Design Service Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
  • PenCLAHRCs patient involvement group.

Research management and mentorship training course

This training course is exclusive to the MClinRes and occurs after handing in the research dissertation. It does not count toward the MClinRes but allows you to start to develop future internship/fellowship applications that seamlessly lead on from your masters research. It aims to provide updates of skills and knowledge required for publication, successful grant applications and long term clinical academic career planning. 

The programme will cover five main areas: 

  • fellowship and future clinical research careers training and support 
  • preparing clinical research grant applications 
  • project management and costing 
  • writing for publication and fellowship applications 
  • dissemination of research. 

The fellowship and future clinical research careers training highlights the need to develop future leaders in clinical research as a key component of the HEE/NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowships. 

Study groups on leadership skills, career planning and case studies will be provided by AHPs and nurses who have undertaken the NIHR training and leadership training, are NIHR-trained mentors and currently sit on the HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Programme for Non-Medical/Dental Healthcare Professional.