To apply for research funding from the College, radiographers have to write a proposal or description of the project. The proposal acts as a map to the research and lets the stakeholders know what the applicant is planning to do.
Added to that, the proposal ensures that there is a researchable question, appropriate methodology, and incorporates any practical and ethical issues that need to be addressed.
The other benefit is that it clearly shows the resource requirements and how much funding will be needed.
Radiographers can apply for as much as £2000 for small projects and up to £5000 for one larger project.
Applications for larger amounts will be considered and receiving funding from the College does not preclude applying elsewhere. In fact, this is encouraged.
Some radiographers do find making an application quite daunting, but there is help and support available for them. One successful applicant’s advice is to “make friends and build bridges”, so that those who have trodden the same path support applicants.
Rachel Harris, the CoR’s research officer, will talk through plans and ideas, before an application has even been made.
Over the last few years, the College’s Research Group Working Party has endeavoured to highlight the importance of research within the profession and to input into national agendas and the wider healthcare environment, promoting the skills and values of radiographers in collaborative, interprofessional teams.
They also provide a communication link and research advice resource for members, with dedicated web pages on the sor.org website.
Therapeutic radiographer Angela Eddy is a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Since her move from clinical practice into academia in 2001 she hasn’t looked back: “There are people at the College who will help you – I always found they responded very quickly and promptly with any queries I had.
"Research has been a very rewarding experience, and my advice to those thinking about undertaking a project would be to go for it! It really isn’t as daunting as it seems.”
Rachel Harris: “Radiography must be based on evidence, and research is a source for that evidence. If we build up a good body of knowledge we will not only benefit as a profession, but we will help to develop overall patient care.”
Click here for more information. Email Rachel Harris.
