Developing the research pillar of advanced practice – 3-day taught programme

February-April 2027

Are you an advanced practitioner looking to develop your research knowledge, skills and confidence?

Research is one of the four pillars of advanced practice, alongside clinical practice, leadership and management, and education. This interactive programme has been designed to support advanced practitioners to develop their research capability, understand how evidence is generated and applied, and build the skills needed to contribute to research and quality improvement within their area of practice.

Whether you are new to research or looking to take the next step in your development, this programme will support you to strengthen the research pillar of advanced practice.

What will you learn?

The programme will include learning objectives to ensure that participants are able to:

Develop ideas for a future small-scale project (eg service evaluation, quality improvement, audit or research project).
Define a robust and focused research question.
Understand the principles and key components of a well-designed research proposal.
Demonstrate an understanding of some of the key characteristics of qualitative research methods.
Demonstrate an understanding of quantitative research methods, including data collection and basic analysis.
Identify a variety of dissemination routes to maximise research impact.
Recognise the importance of professional responsibility, research integrity, and ethical considerations.
Reflect on personal learning progress and demonstrate independent learning abilities to support continued professional development.
Understand the need for external research funding and how to access such funding opportunities.
Demonstrate an understanding of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

What to expect?

Throughout the programme you will:

Learn alongside an experienced team of researchers from NCA’s Centre for Clinical and Care Research (CCR).
Attend three full day face to face sessions. Attendance at all three sessions is required to complete the course.
Take part in interactive and practical learning activities.
Bring your own experiences and potential research ideas to develop during the programme.
Apply your learning between sessions and share your experiences with the group.
Be supported to prepare a small-scale research proposal, such as a clinical audit, service improvement, or a scoping review.
Be encouraged to undertake the project following completion of the programme. The CCR will provide guidance on available resources and potential funding opportunities to help progress your project after the programme.
At the end of the programme, you will be supported to produce a poster presenting your own research proposal.

By completing this programme, you will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to strengthen the Research Pillar of Advanced Practice and take the first or next steps towards becoming a research active practitioner.

Dates (You must attend all three dates to complete the course)

	Date	Time	Venue
Session 1	Tuesday 2 February 2027	9am – 4pm	Frank Rifkin Lecture Theatre, Mayo Building, Salford Royal Hospital
Session 2	Tuesday 16 March 2027	9am – 4pm	F17, Oldham Education Centre, Royal Oldham Hospital
Session 3	Tuesday 27 April 2027	9am – 4pm	Humphrey Booth Lecture Theatre, Mayo Building, Salford Royal Hospital

Please note:

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Priority will be given to colleagues who have not previously attended this training programme delivered by the CCR.
If the programme is oversubscribed, a waiting list will be maintained, and colleagues will be contacted should a place become available.

How to book?

You can book a place by completing the expression of interest form through this link: Advanced Practitioner Research Training Programme expression of interest form.

Any questions?

Please contact the CCR Team (CCR@nca.nhs.uk).