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FHSS academics’ paper cited 1,000 times

international, Publishing, Training, writing

This morning ResearchGate alerted us that our paper published two decades ago ‘The Importance of Pilot Studies’ has now been cited one thousand times [1].  This methods paper in the Nursing Standard is very often used by authors quoting a  paper in their research methods section when they have done pilot or feasibility study for a larger-scale study. This paper is also our second top cited paper with 1,982 citations on Google Scholar and, interestingly enough, on SCOPUS it is not listed at all.

Pilot studies are a crucial element of a good study design. Conducting a pilot study does not guarantee success in the main study, but it does increase the likelihood of success. Pilot studies fulfill a range of important functions and can provide valuable insights for other researchers. There is a need for more discussion among researchers of both the process and outcomes of pilot studies. 

This paper is one of several methods paper focusing on pilot studies we have published over the past 22 years [2-7].

 

Professors Vanora Hundley & Edwin van Teijlingen

Centre for Midwifery & Women’s Health

 

 

References:

  1. van Teijlingen E, Hundley, V. (2002) ‘The importance of pilot studies’ Nursing Standard 16(40): 33-36. Web: nursing-standard.co.uk/archives/vol16-40/pdfs/vol16w40p3336.pdf
  2. van Teijlingen E, Rennie, AM., Hundley, V, Graham, W. (2001) The importance of conducting & reporting pilot studies: example of Scottish Births Survey, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 34: 289-95.
  3. Simkhada, P, Bhatta, P., van Teijlingen E (2006) Importance of piloting questionnaire on sexual health research (Letter), Wilderness & Environmental Medical Journal, 17(4): 295-96. wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=017&issue=04&page=0295#Ref
  4. van Teijlingen E, Hundley, V. (2001) The importance of pilot studies, Social Research Update Issue 35, (Editor N. Gilbert), Guildford: University of Surrey.  Web:  http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/sru/SRU35.html
  5. Hundley, V., van Teijlingen E. (2002) The role of pilot studies in midwifery research RCM Midwives Journal 5(11): 372-74.
  6. van Teijlingen E, Hundley, V. (2005) Pilot studies in family planning & reproductive health care, Journal of Family Planning & Reproductive Health Care 31(3): 219-21.
  7. van Teijlingen E, Hundley, V. (2003) Pilot study, In: Encyclopaedia of Social Science Research Methods, Vol. 2, Lewis-Beck, M., Bryman, A. & Liao, T. (eds.), Orego, Sage: 823-24.

 

Take your policy engagement to the next step – sign up for one of our online workshops

Training

We have a small number of places available on our Building a Policy Influencing Strategy workshops on Friday 12th and Thursday 18th July.

What you will learn

These sessions are suitable for you if you have already made steps to engage with policymakers, and/or you have attended previous policy training workshops. Public affairs consultant and trainer Carys Davis will deliver both sessions, and they will enable you to:

  • develop key messages, supporting narratives and evidence for policymakers
  • identify and map your audience
  • gain insight into the channels available for influencing.

The sessions will be delivered via Zoom, from 9.30-4.30pm with 15-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon, and an hour away from screens for lunch from 12.30-1.30pm.

About the trainer

Carys Davis has 18 years’ experience  in politics and public affairs. She has worked as a parliamentary researcher for two frontbench MPs, a policy adviser on the environment, food and rural affairs portfolio for a UK political party and was also the public affairs manager for the Financial Conduct Authority.

Book here – limited places available!

Please note these workshops are not intended as an introduction. If you are not sure whether they are suitable for you, please contact the impact team, who can advise. We can also offer 121 bespoke sessions with Carys up until 20 July 2024, which you can book via impact@bournemouth.ac.uk.

RKEDF: Writing Academy 18th/19th/20th June 2024

Training, writing

This 3-day workshop covers strategies for academic writing: targeting a journal, writing to prompts, types of prompt for academic writing, ‘snack’ writing, goal-setting for writing, freewriting, generative writing, analysing academic writing in your field, criteria, writing an abstract, using prompts in series, outlining, dealing with reviewers’ feedback, writing groups, micro-groups and retreats. Many of these can be used in preparing for a concentrated spell of writing at a writing retreat.

This is a practical workshop. The aim of the writing activities in this workshop is to let you try these strategies and consider how/if/where they can fit in your writing practice. We also discuss how they can be used for writing theses, articles and other writing. They also let you start and work on your writing project during the workshop.

This workshop will be delivered remotely by the facilitator however attendees will participant in person. It involves several short writing activities, all designed to help you develop your paper/chapter/thesis and use productive, healthy writing habits. By signing up to this course you agree to do the writing tasks and to talk about your writing in small-group discussions, to give and receive feedback on this writing and to discuss your writing plans and goals.

You can find the programme here.  Please note, participants are required to attend all three days of the Writing Academy sessions. Refreshments and lunch will be provided on all three days.

To book a place on this workshop please complete the Booking Form.

For any specific queries regarding this workshop please email rkedf@bournemouth.ac.uk

Workshop Date Time Location
Writing Academy: Day 1 – Workshop Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10.00 – 16.00 Talbot Campus (facilitator will be online)
Writing Academy: Day 2 – Writing retreat Wednesday, 19 June 2024 9:00 – 16.00 Talbot Campus (facilitator will be online)
Writing Academy: Day 3 – Writing day Thursday 20 June 2024 9:00 – 16.00 Talbot Campus

RDP Masterclass in Productive Writing: Techniques, Planning, Finishing

Training

         

RDP Masterclass in Productive Writing – Wednesday 5th June – 14:00 – 17:00 – Online.

Facilitator: Dr Joanna Young

Session Summary:

How do you initiate the writing process when faced with only a blank page or a cursor incessantly blinking on the screen? Effective written communication is an essential part of academia and researchers are required to write a variety of documents including proposals, theses, papers for publication, grant proposals and books. Scholarly writing projects involve planning, drafting & redrafting, setting deadlines and collaboration.

This workshop will focus on how to start writing, how to keep going and how to finish. We will cover initiating and managing a manuscript, structure, productive writing techniques and a short introduction to new collaborative writing tools. Participants will be encouraged to consider where writing can fit into their schedule and what works best for them.

The workshop will include writing exercises, advice on making writing part of your working routine and a short section on dealing with and providing feedback.

Please book your place via the link here.

Getting in touch:

If you have any questions about this specific session or the Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme, please feel free to contact Enrica or Arabella in your Researcher Development team, as we are always happy to help: pgrskillsdevelopment@bournemouth.ac.uk.

RKEDF: AHRC and ESRC – How to write an application in the New Format

Funding opportunities, Training

‘How to write an application in the new format for the Funding Service’

Friday 14th June and Thursday 4th July 2024 – 11:00 – 13:00 – Online

These sessions are aimed at to all interested in finding out about the new funding service, from ECRs to Professors.

The session will cover the requirements for the new UKRI application format. We will discuss the application structure focusing on AHRC and ESRC and the sections and how to complete them. The session will be framed with more general information on the various Research Councils that comprise UKRI and best practice in writing applications for external research funding.

Outcomes:

  • Understanding of the new application format and how to write the sections within it
  • Understanding of AHRC and ESRC

General understanding of best practice for writing an application for external funding.

The facilitator for this event is Sally Baggott – Find out more here.

Book your place here under ‘AHRC & ESRC – How to write an application in the new format for the funding service’ and select either: 14/06/ 2024 or 04/07/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Dev Framework 

Formulating Practice Research Methods in Bid writing

Training

Formulating Practice Research Methods in Bid writing

In person event – 21st June 2024 – 11:00 – 13:00 – Create Lecture Theatre, Fusion building, Talbot campus.

This workshop is aimed at anyone trying to formulate funding proposals for grants that primarily follow a practice research method. It will look at how to formulate a practice research project, starting with the framing of the initial idea in relation to peers and relevant prior research/art, how to describe the methodology in a way that meets funding bodies requirements for transparency and rigour, and how to translate outputs into impact.

Attendees can be at any stage of a bid writing process, but should come with an idea that they want to work on, or past experiences that they can reflect on.

Book your place here under ‘Formulating Practice Research Methods in Bid writing – 21/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

RKEDF: Two Post Award sessions coming up in June!

Post-award, Training

Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE – Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Talbot Campus

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project.

By the end of the session, attendees will have a strong foundation of what to expect when being responsible for their awarded projects.

Book your place here under ‘Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE – 05/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database – Thursday, June 6, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Online

This session is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database, including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED,

and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.

Book your place here under ‘Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database – 06/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu. 

RKEDF: Two exciting Impact workshops in June!

Training

Friday, June 7, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Online – Creating your impact development plan

For researchers at all career stages and at all stages of the project lifecycle – from formulating research questions and preparing grant applications to developing a potential impact case study.

This practical workshop provides the tools, advice and time to start putting together your own plan to achieve impact.

Book your place here under ‘Impact Essentials: Creating your Impact Development Plan – 07/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu

Thursday, June 27, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Online – Evidencing Impact

This interactive online session is aimed at researchers at all stages of their careers who wish to learn how to provide evidence for the impact of their research – whether for funders’ reports or future REF impact case studies.

Participants will learn how to evaluate and evidence the impact of their research as it occurs.

Book your place here under ‘Impact Essentials: Evidencing Impact – 27/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu

For any queries regarding these workshops, please contact RKE Dev Framework 

RKEDF May Digest – Training opportunities for YOU!

R & KE Operations, Training

Have you you heard the news????  

We are excited to share some great RKEDF training opportunities coming up in May 2024!  

Click on the titles to find further details and book your place!!!!  

Innovate UK Marine and Maritime Launchpad Future Funding 

Wednesday May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – DG06, Dorset House, Talbot Campus 

This event is a must-attend for Dorset-based marine and maritime businesses looking to innovate and grow, if your business involves Clean Maritime, Digital Oceans, and Marine Autonomy, this event is tailored just for you. 

 Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN) Surgeries  

Wednesday, May 8, 13:00 – 14:00 – Hybrid: Talbot Campus & MS Teams  

This is an open session for all BU ECRs and PGRs, to discuss any issues around career development, or the ECR experience with the peer network, and receive advice and guidance from the network’s academic leads.  

 Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE                                                               

Wednesday, May 8, 14:00 – 15:00 – Lansdowne Campus   

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project.   

ECRN – The Conversation Media Training   

Wednesday, May 8, 14:00 – 16:00 – Zoom – link provided on sign up   

Are you an academic, researcher or PhD candidate who would like to build a media profile and take your research to a global public audience by writing for The Conversation?   

Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database   

Thursday, May 9, 10:00 am – 10:30 am – Online   

This session is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database, including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED, and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.  

——————————————————————————————  

Please assist us in avoiding any waste of resources; make sure you can attend or cancel your booking prior to the session. 

For any further information, please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk   

RKEDF: Introduction to RED – The Research and Enterprise Database

Post-award, Training

This 30-minute session is aimed at all academics to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database, including how to access the system, the information available to view, budget management via RED, and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.

Wednesday 9th May 2024 – 10:00-10:30      Online session

Book your place here under ‘Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database – 09/05/2024 – in the drop-down menu.

RKEDF: ECRN – The Conversation Media Training

Training, writing

 

 

 

Are you an academic, researcher or PhD candidate who would like to build a media profile and take your research to a global public audience by writing for The Conversation?

The Conversation is a news analysis and opinion website with content written by academics working with professional journalists. It is an open access, independent media charity funded by more than 80 UK and European universities.

In this interactive session we’ll take you through what The Conversation is – our origins and aims; what we do and why.

We’ll look at why you should communicate your research to the public and take you through The Conversation’s unique, collaborative editorial process.

We’ll give you tips on style, tone and structure (with examples), look at how to pitch (with examples) and look at different approaches and article types.

You will have the opportunity to discuss your research with a Conversation editor and pitch potential story ideas.

*Note the session takes place on Zoom and we expect you to turn your camera on.

Benefits of attending

  • Find out how to join a community of academic authors taking their expertise outside the institution
  • Understand what makes a good story and the types of articles your expertise could generate
  • Learn the skills of journalistic writing and how to make your writing accessible and engaging to a diverse general audience
  • Meet one of The Conversation’s editors and learn how we commission articles

To get the most out of your time with the editor, come prepared:

  • Read some articles on The Conversation to get a sense of what we publish
  • Think about the sort of pieces you might potentially write, what aspects of your research might interest people, and come armed with ideas.

Book your place here 

There are a limited number of places for this session. If you sign up and then are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration so that your place can be re-allocated to a colleague on the waiting list.

RKEDF: Writing Academy 18th/19th/20th June 2024

Training, writing

Day 1 – Writing for Publication Workshop – 18 June 2024, 10am-4pm

This workshop covers a range of strategies: targeting a journal, writing to prompts, types of prompt for academic writing, ‘snack’ writing, goal-setting for writing, freewriting, generative writing, analysing academic writing in your field, criteria, writing an abstract, using prompts in series, outlining, dealing with reviewers’ feedback, writing groups, micro-groups and retreats. Many of these can be used to prepare for a concentrated spell of writing at a writing retreat – which follows tomorrow. This is a practical workshop. The aim of the writing activities in this workshop is to let you try these strategies and consider how/if/where/when they could fit into your writing practice. You can use these to write for your article during the workshop, and you have a day’s writing to develop it tomorrow.

Day 2 – Writing Retreat – 19 June, 9am-4pm

Aims – To provide dedicated writing time and develop productive writing practices.

Format

This structured retreat uses the ‘typing pool’ model. We all write at the same time, for fixed time slots, using goal-setting and peer and self-monitoring for our individual writing projects. Because we all write together, we can discuss our goals at the start and end of the day (10-15 minutes). Almost all the retreat time is writing time, with regular breaks.

Learning objectives

1. Understand the Structured Writing Retreat model.

2. Structure a writing day.

3. Maintain well-being during intensive periods of writing.

Day 3 – Free Writing Day

An in-person writing day. Lunch will be provided.

 

Book your place here under ‘Writing Academy’ – 18/06/2024 to 20/06/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact RKE Development Framework

 

RKEDF April digest – training opportunities for YOU!

R & KE Operations, Training

We’re excited to share some great RKEDF training opportunities coming up in April 2024.  

Click on the titles to find further details and book your place. Details of an ECRN Funding call can also be found at the end…… 

 Online RSA Drop-In meeting    

Wednesday 3rd April, 10:30-11:00, Online  

Meet your RSA reps, hear updates on how BU is implementing the Research Concordat and give feedback or raise concerns that will help to develop and support the research community at BU. 

 Principal Investigation                                                                      

Wednesday 10th April, 14:00-15:00 at Talbot Campus 

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator for an externally funded research or knowledge exchange project.   

 Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database 

Thursday 11th April, 10:00-10:30 Online  

An overview of the Research & Enterprise Database and how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.   

Engaging with Schools & young people 

Tuesday 16th April, 10:00-11:00, online 

Engaging young people with the world of research can be a worthwhile and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. You can benefit from the opportunity to develop and put into practice your skills, build confidence and widen your research horizons. 

 RDS Academic & Researcher Induction 

Wednesday 24th April, 09:30-11:00 Online 

This event provides an overview of all the practical information staff need to begin developing their research plans at BU, using both internal and external networks; to develop and disseminate research outcomes; and maximising the available funding opportunities. 

 Impress the Press: How to talk to Journalists   

Wednesday 24th April, 14:00 – 16:00 at Talbot Campus  

A practical session covering tips and techniques for speaking with broadcast media (TV and radio) followed by the chance to put it into practice through mock interviews.  No previous experience is necessary. 

 Introduction to BRIAN 

Monday 29th April, 10.00-11.00 at Talbot Campus 

This interactive workshop is an introductory session to BRIAN (Bournemouth Research Information And Networking), BU’s publication management system.  It is aimed at those who are new to BU or have not updated their staff profile for a while.  Attendees will need to bring their laptop. 

 Research Council Development Scheme (RCDS) 

RDS is continuing with the RCDS through April 2024 

The RCDS is a coordinated, targeted set of activities designed to inspire and equip BU researchers to achieve greater success with Research Council funding. Attendees have been nominated by their Head of Department 

 ECRN Funding Call NOW OPEN 

The RKEDF and BU ECRN are delighted to offer funding (up to £500) to organise an event, roundtable, meeting, training, or workshop in support of research at BU. 

This funding supports BU Early Career Researcher Network members to organise and facilitate an event that can be thematic, subject/discipline based, foster community engagement, knowledge exchange or networking and does the following; 

–             Brings ECRs and others together to share ideas, knowledge and learning. 

–             Provides a space for intellectual discussion. 

–             Helps to facilitate collaboration and future opportunities. 

–             Enables an opportunity for networking. 

For all the details, click on the title above – deadline for submission is Friday 26th April 2024 

 For any further information, please contact RKEDF@bournemouth.ac.uk  

Please, help us to avoid any waste of resources; make sure you can attend or cancel your booking ahead of the session.  

RKEDF workshop: Introduction to BRIAN

BRIAN, Publishing, Training

Introduction to BRIAN – Monday 29th April, 10.00-11.00 Talbot campus

BRIAN (Bournemouth Research Information And Networking) is BU’s publication management system.

This introductory session is aimed at those who are new to BU, or have not updated their staff profile for a while. It will cover the basics of BRIAN, including how to use BRIAN to manage your research outputs, biography and research interests, professional activities and more.

By the end of the session, attendees will have an understanding of BRIAN and how it relates to Staff Profile Pages, how to create and update items and activities, how to claim/create/import publications, as well as how to upload full text articles to BURO (Bournemouth University Research Online).

Book your place here by selecting ‘Introduction to BRIAN – 29/04/24’ in the drop down menu.  Please note, attendees will need to bring their laptops.

For any queries regarding this workshop, please contact rkedf@bournemouth.ac.uk

See all RKEDF events

RKEDF: Two Post Award workshops coming up in April

Post-award, Training

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE – Wednesday 10th April 2024, 14.00-15.00, Talbot campus

This session is aimed at any researcher who is, who plans to be, a Principal Investigator. Topics covered include:

  • What is post award?
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Systems
  • Key policies
  • Starting your awarded project
  • Making changes to your project and reporting
  • Hints and tips 

Book your place here – under “Principal Investigation – Post Award for RKE 10/04/24″ in the drop-down menu.

Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database, Online, Thursday 11th April 2024, 10:00-10:30

The “Research Enterprise Database- RED” online workshop is aimed at all research staff to provide an overview of the Research & Enterprise Database.

Indicative Content

  • how to access the system
  • the information available to view
  • budget management via RED
  • how to use RED to identify your supporting pre and post award officers.

You can book your place here, under ‘Introduction to RED – The Research & Enterprise Database – 11/04/2024’ in the drop-down menu.

For any queries regarding these workshops, please contact Alex Morrison, Post Award Programme Manager (morrisona@bournemouth.ac.uk)

Please note that these workshops will be repeated on a monthly basis and you could find a suitable date and book your space here.