Stage of Research Process: Conclusions and Implications of Research Phase of the Research Process

Twitter is a micro blogging social network that limits updates to no more than 140 characters. Like any social network the benefits only become clear after investment of time and effort in building your network and contacts (see Network Building), however it can be a great way to reach new audiences, or specialists in your […]

While they can be stand alone events in their own right, workshops are often used alongside Conferences or Unconferences. The key to a good workshop is that they utilise a group of interested people in the room, to do the work. Identify a theme or topic that you wish to focus on e.g. it could […]

A traditional method ideally suited to transmitting information, expertise and insight to a large audience. Prepare early: identify and approach speakers, book a venue, share and advertise widely Identify a Chairperson to ensure that you keep to time on the day, to introduce speakers and to facilitate discussion Allow plenty of time in the programme […]

A relatively simple idea, where the skill is in the successful facilitation and collaborative approach to delivery. Book Sprints attempt to turn the process of book writing on its head, creating a focus and purpose, setting parameters and producing a book in a very short period of time (3 to 5 days). Book Sprints are […]

An unconference seeks to avoid many of the elements of traditional conferences, including fees and top-down agenda setting. Instead an open space methodology is used to set the agenda, on the day. This guarantees that those present address issues that are important and relevant to them. Despite being an unconference, it still requires preparation and […]

Usually you will write an end of study report for your research, and an executive summary. A So What? Summary would compliment these, translating the research findings into useful implications. People want to know that rigorous research is available, but they do not necessarily want to read it all themselves. Your So What? Summary should contain enough […]

Podcasts have grown in popularity in recent years as an easy way for people to access information. The term podcast refers to a downloadable series of audio or video files. They allow research information to be accessed at the listeners convenience e.g. while in the gym or travelling, and consequently social care practitioners report that […]

Developing a network of supporters and people interested in your work is useful for individuals, research projects and departments or research groups. Network building is the effort applied to increase the size, activity or intensity of a part of the whole of the network. Identify stakeholders (see Stakeholder Mapping Tool) Identify core and peripheral members and network […]

Journal articles are one of the mainstays of academic careers, especially in terms of sharing your research with peers and creating academic impact. Writing for journals requires discipline and requires you to understand your work, focus on the details, and get to the point. Peer review upholds quality and can provide useful feedback. Every project should generate at […]

Focus Groups can prove useful for trying out your ideas or research messages and gathering feedback. They are a relatively inexpensive way of sense-checking your impact activities or outputs. Identify stakeholders (see Stakeholder Mapping) from your network (see Network Building) – this will depend on the purpose of your focus group. Make sure you have […]