There are many online courses and qualifications you can access right now to develop your career. Many of them are free and are widely recognised by academic and commercial organisations. Click on the links below to find out more.
Introduction to research workshop*
This workshop aims to provide an understanding of the basic principles of research, and to equip people with some practical skills related to the planning and carrying out of research.
The training consists of two complementary sessions, and we ask delegates to please attend both:
Introduction to Research
Critical appraisal of qualitative and quantitative research
When: 15th July 2025 from 9am to 4:30pm
Where:Edward Jenner Room, Ground Floor, Sycamore House, Cheshire Oaks, Business Park, Lloyd Drive, Ellesmere Port CH65 9HX
For further details and, to book a place, please contact philelliott@nhs.net
*For CWP staff only. No previous experience/expertise needed.
Releasing Potential : A series of one-day workshops!
Each workshop in the series is crafted to address the evolving needs of researchers, providing practical insights and actionable strategies you can apply immediately. You have the flexibility to book individual sessions that best match your current research stage, ensuring your experience is both relevant and impactful. With both online and in-person sessions – held in Manchester City Centre –, you’ll benefit from interaction and networking, all at no cost—though spaces are limited and a waiting list will be maintained, so early registration is encouraged.
The 12-month programme is open to various professionals, including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, scientists, and others within and outside hospital settings.
Applicants should have a strong interest in health and social care research and aspire to become research leaders.
The National Institute of Health Research has announced new initiatives that will expand training and career opportunities for health and social care professionals.
These include more opportunities at all levels of a research career from undergraduate through to postdoctoral.
There will also be more support for those in underrepresented professions, to ensure a diverse range of people enter and are successful in a career in research.
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.
Follow the above link to go to NIHR Learn and sign in or click on 'Create account' if you are a first time user. You can register on NIHR Learn with your work email address.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
What is GCP?
GCP is the agreed international standard for conducting clinical research.
It's also known as ICH GCP - The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
What courses are available?
You can do the following courses:
introduction
refresher
consolidation
Why do I need to do this training?
Everyone who works on delivering a study has to have an up-to-date GCP certificate.
As a certified GCP researcher, you will:
protect the rights and safety of people taking part in research studies
collect reliable research data
Go to NIHR Learn to sign in or click on 'Create account' if you are a first time user. You can register on NIHR Learn with your work email address.
Videos developed by Level Up, Cheshire and Merseyside, Young People and Families, Lead Provider Collaborative, alongside CANDDID (Centre for Autism, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities) andfunded by NHS England.
How to search the literature effectively
A step-by-step guide to finding information and developing skills for successful searching.
Seven short modules are designed to help the healthcare workforce (clinical and non-clinical) build confidence to search published literature for articles and evidence relevant to their work, study and research. Go to https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/literature-searching to access the free online programme.
