Research

Research Tools

This tools page tries to provide you with a starting point to learn how to conduct a research project of your own. We give a brief overview of some useful research tools.

  • books - a small selection of books in qualitative and quantitative research that SSPC members have found useful
  • electronic information (eInfo) -a selection of electronic information listed under the following headings:
  1. Evidence on the internet
  2. Journals
  3. Research ethics
  4. Other useful sites

CHAIN

The Scottish School of Primary Care has established a new cross-cutting thematic sub-group of CHAIN which will focus on Primary Care Researchers in Scotland (PCRiS). We would like to invite you to join CHAIN and the Primary Care Researchers in Scotland sub-group.

CHAIN, (standing for Contacts, Help, Advice & Information Network), originated 12 years ago in the NHS Research & Development programme in England and has since grown into a not-for profit international online community of over 9,700 people who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with each other. The community includes frontline healthcare practitioners from all professions, managers, educators, researchers and knowledge specialists. It is currently funded by a consortium of 11 supporters including the National Institute for Health Research and Macmillan Cancer Support. In Scotland, CHAIN is sponsored by the Scottish Government Health Directorates, Scottish School of Primary Care and NHS Grampian, and in Ireland CHAIN is sponsored by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and the Health Service Executive (Republic of Ireland). Sister networks exist in Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Italy and Spain forming an international pool of tacit knowledge and mutual support for health care professionals.

A special interest group "Primary Care Researchers in Scotland (PCRiS)" was launched in November 2008. It was set up with the support of the Scottish School of Primary Care (SSPC)1, a national organisation funded by the Scottish Government Health Directorate and the Scottish Funding Council. There are currently over 340 members on this sub-group. The PCRiS sub group is a useful way to:

  • Identify members with research expertise in specific topic areas
  • Alert members to research collaboration and educational opportunities
  • Disseminate relevant materials or calls for papers
  • Take soundings on specific issues or pressures
  • Advertise study and employment opportunities
  • Generate discussion or feedback on a wide range of relevant topics.

CHAIN membership is entirely FREE and members cam get access to the network's online directory, as well as receiving between 20-40 messages per annum which are targeted specifically to their individual interests. We would be delighted if you would join CHAIN, and if you do, experience tells us that you will almost certainly find the network to be valuable, as you will gain access to over 9,700 people from all professions, specialties and organisations who share your own willingness to be generous with knowledge and experience in pursuit of improving health and social care.

For further Information on CHAIN, (including an external evaluation published in BMJ), and an online joining form, go to CHAIN website (Click on Join for the membership form) We very much hope you will take up this invitation to join our network. In the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us .

Career Development

This section is created for those who would like to develop their careers in a primary care field or who would like a career change. The first section focuses on General Practice and will be updated with other fields in the near future.

Until recently there has been no clear pathway to a career in academic general practice. That situation is now changing, partly because of the rising demand for undergraduate medical education and the long list of unanswered research questions which demands increased research activity. For more info to find out how to develop a career in General Practice please see the Academic Career Pathways document from Professor Frank Sullivan.

Other Useful tools:

If you feel there is anything we should add to this site your comments are more than welcome. Please click here to contact us.

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Scottish School of Primary Care