The support available includes all aspects of research design and conduct including:

• How to formulate a research question,
• Research design for quantitative studies - including advice on randomised controlled trials, ethical issues in study design, feasibility issues, blinding and allocation to trial arms; power calculations and other underpinning statistical advice including analytical strategies,
• Advice for observational and quasi-experimental studies,
• Advice on economic aspects of studies,
• Research design for qualitative studies, including sampling strategies, data collection methods, and analysis techniques,
• Advice on how to identify and apply to appropriate funding schemes,
• Public involvement in research design and conduct,
• Advice for contacting appropriate collaborators in research.

These services are available face to face and are supported by telephone and e-mail contacts.

Online advice in provided via the section links above. To ask for advice from one of our expert advisors, please use the Request Advice Link.

The Research Design Service also runs targeted workshops to support applications for specific funds including Research for Patient Benefit and the NIHR personal award/fellowship schemes.

Current workshops organised by the NIHR RDS NW can be found in the New, Training and Events section. You will also find an archive of past NIHR RDS NW events here which contains information on the events as well as resources from them such as slides and video.

Workshops that have been held or are due to be held include:

• Preparing an application for the Research for Patient Benefit Programme.
• Preparing an Application for the NIHR Fellowship Scheme.
• Stroke Research Network Portfolio Development.

Please go to the New, Training and Events section of this web site for information on the latest workshop being held by us and other organisations.