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This page is dedicated to those who support clinical research, such as assisting with grant applications, submitting ethics applications or otherwise supporting study set up activities.
Good Clinical Practice
Good Clinical Practice
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted.
It is important that everyone involved in research is trained or appropriately experienced to perform the specific tasks they are being asked to undertake. GCP training is a requirement set out in the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research developed by the Health Research Authority for researchers conducting clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.
All of the NIHR GCP courses are free and available to NHS, UK universities, and other publicly funded organisations conducting and supporting clinical research. You can access GCP courses via the learning platform NIHR Learn or clicking the links to the right.
Relevant Training Courses
also visit our training and events page to find one-off courses and events
NIHR Induction
An Introduction To Cultural Sensitivity In Research
This e-Learning course explains why inclusive research matters and how cultural understanding, values and beliefs can impact on research participation. The module concludes by exploring practical recommendations for removing barriers to inclusion that have come from the findings of the NIHRs Include project.
The course will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
Informed Consent
The NIHR Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber Introduction to Informed Consent workshop is designed for all staff wishing to gain a better understanding of the informed consent process required to enrol participants into a research project. It is also suitable for those working with participants engaged in research activity who may not be directly cared for in a clinic or hospital setting.
It is essential that you seek further support and guidance from your local R&D department, research leadership and/or line manager prior to undertaking informed consent for research activities. Whilst this workshop forms an element of your learning in this area you may be required to complete competency documents and follow organisational/Trust guidance in your place of work.
This workshop builds on the areas discussed in Good Clinical Practice therefore training and prior knowledge of GCP is assumed.
Click here to enrol onto the Real-Time Virtual session
Click here to enrol onto the Face-to Face session
Excess Treatment Costs And Schedule Of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT)
A short online module on how to complete in the Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template.
Data Quality in Research
This course is aimed at those new to research and also more experienced staff who would like to know more about data quality. This package is aimed at staff who will be undertaking data entry or data collection. Ideally, you should have some knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards
Site File Management
This course is aimed at those new to site files and also more experienced staff who would like a refresher. You should have completed Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training and it would be useful if you have seen a site file.
The Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS)
CPMS is an online database used for the management of all study records within the NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio. This training will help you understand how the system works.
Introduction to Randomised Controlled Trials
This online course discusses the importance of trials in evidence-based medicine and provides the opportunity to learn about the trial lifecycle from conception to publication.
The Safety Reporting Journey
This course is aimed at those new to research and also more experienced staff who would like to know more about safety reporting. This package is aimed at staff who will be undertaking safety reporting. Ideally, you should have some knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research
This online course will discuss how medical treatments are discovered, tested and evaluated to improve healthcare for all.
Digital Tools for Efficient Clinical Trials
This four-week clinical trials course is designed to create awareness about the availability and use of digital tools for the recruitment and retention of participants within clinical trials.
Archiving a Research Study
A bitesize training video for any research staff that have a role in Archiving a Research Study.
The Research Support Service
The NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) launched in October 2023, providing free and confidential advice and expertise for health and care researchers in England. The RSS provides support at every stage of the research journey, from pre-application through to post-award delivery.
The core services offered by the NIHR RSS include:
Pre and post-award advice from methodologists. This includes statisticians, qualitative researchers, health economists, social scientists, behavioural scientists, clinical trialists and others with expertise in study development
Advice on patient and public involvement and engagement
Advice on developing and delivering inclusive research
Support for clinical trial development and delivery
Opportunities to collaborate with centres of research excellence
Signposting to other sources of advice and support
To find out more about the NIHR RSS or to request support from one of the RSS hubs visit the NIHR Research Support Service website.
The Conversation: Journalistic Writing Courses for Academics
The Conversation is an independent source of news analysis and expert comment written by academic experts, working with professional journalists who help share their knowledge with the world. It offers short courses that cover how to pitch and write for The Conversation and reach non-academic audiences.
To find out more and complete these courses, visit the conversation website.
Media and Social Media Training for Researchers
The University of Sheffield offer media and social media training sessions throughout the academic year. You can register your interest on their website. The courses offered are:
Introduction to social media for researchers
Advanced social media for researchers
Twitter for Researchers
Introduction to vertical short form video for researchers
Resources for Inclusive Clinical Trials
STEP UP have created a hub of learning resources and training materials from trusted external sources to help facilitate inclusive clinical trial design and delivery.
How to Set Up and Manage a Clinical Trial
About the course:
The course will cover the timeline and stages of setting up a clinical trial from the point of receiving the funded grant application to opening the first site. It will provide a practical insight into the individual steps of setting up a clinical trial, with the aim for participants to be able to leave the course feeling confident and ready to set up and manage their own trial (be that multicentre or single site research). The course will be aimed at people working with human participants, specifically within healthcare and / or the NHS.
Who will benefit from the course?
It will be designed for new study managers from across the UK, but would also be relevant to research assistants, new trial managers, PhD students hoping to conduct NHS research, research fellows and associates. Please note that this course is aimed at those working on UK-based clinical trials due to the UK's unique framework of rules.
Remote Methods of Trial Delivery
The UK's clinical research infrastructure has developed to adopt and use remote methods in clinical trial delivery. From remote monitoring to remote consultations, there is expertise and willingness to embed innovative approaches to clinical trial delivery. For those looking to incorporate remote methods into their clinical trial design, there are many aspects to consider. The following content aims to help design and delivery teams and trial sponsors consider and implement remote methods in their studies.
HRA Approval Learning Resources
To support and guide researchers and support staff through the HRA Approval process.
Research involving participants lacking mental capacity
This course explains the regulations and considerations relating to mental capacity and research. It is aimed at those involved in designing or undertaking, supporting or reviewing research, and takes account of research seeking to include adults lacking capacity as well as research where some participants may lack capacity or lose capacity.
Research involving exposure to ionising radiation
This course explains the regulations and considerations for research involving ionising radiation. It is aimed at those involved in designing or undertaking, supporting or reviewing such research.
*The HRA is currently working to implement updates to this module to reflect The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017.
Research involving human tissue
This module is designed with a number of pathways to allow users to select a role which reflects their own professional interest.
Develop your influencing skills
Whether you are new to leadership or well-seasoned, this suite of modules will provide you with the opportunity to build skills, learn about the latest leadership tools and reflect and practise new approaches. The self-led, e-learning modules and webinars will provide you with thought provoking content and insights, key learnings and practical ideas to support you in developing your leadership capabilities. And being self-led, means you have the freedom to choose which topic area feels most relevant to your needs at the time.
Online and Part-Time Postgraduate Qualifications in Health and Clinical Research
Online and Part-Time Postgraduate Qualifications in Health and Clinical Research
Are you working in research delivery with a passion for improving patient care?
Do you want to improve patient outcomes by leading groundbreaking research studies?
Please come along to this event to find out more:
Virtual event: Could you be a research delivery leader?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 (12.30pm to 2.00pm)
Learn more about applying for our part time, online Master’s level clinical research delivery leadership qualifications offered by the University of Sheffield, Exeter, Newcastle and KCL at this event.
· Suitable for all healthcare professionals who have no or limited research experience and those currently working in research delivery.
· All courses are designed for part time learning to fit around busy schedules.
· All courses consist of theory-based online learning modules and a research practice experience module. The ‘research practice’ module helps students to develop their skills and expertise by working on research projects alongside experienced mentors.
A number of DHSC funded bursaries for course fees will be available. More details will be provided at the event.
What the event will cover:
You’ll learn about each of the qualifications that are available, how the courses are delivered and details about bursaries that are available to support you. Further information, together with our event registration form can be found on the event home page.
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