1) Gain a solid grounding in research methods and statistics underpinning evidence based practice.
2) Develop a sound understanding of the evidence underpinning practice and enhance career prospects in accordance with the Modernising Careers Framework
3) Compare treatment results within a framework of clinical governance
4) Provide sound preparation to undertake research within practice
5) Prepare for future PhD / MD research.

With the continued emphasis on the appraisal and utilisation of research evidence and the requirement to compare treatment results within a framework of clinical governance, the MSc Evidence Based Medicine and Practice aims to enable qualified doctors, dentists, nurses, allied health professionals, and other health and social care practitioners to develop research skills to enhance an evidence-based approach to health and social care practice supporting their postgraduate training or continuing profession development.

This course will enable research nurses and other health care professionals working in this area to explore the multifaceted role and responsibilities of the practitioner in relation to clinical trials. It will enable participants to develop the knowledge and skills required to ensure that these are conducted safely and effectively whilst maintaining scientific integrity. The course will include research methodology, good clinical practice (GCP and EU Directives), ethical considerations, Research Governance, monitoring/management of adverse effects, and the impact of clinical trials on patients, professionals, and others involved in the clinical trials process.

This part-time programme has a modular structure and is based on academic credits. You accrue academic credits for each module completed successfully.
The intention is that the modules can be ‘logged’. It is normally expected that each stage of the Programme (Certificate, Diploma then Masters) will be completed in one year, with the full Masters being completed in 3 years, but there is the possibility that modules can be ‘carried forward’ if appropriate. At the end of each module the credits you have gained will be verified. When you have gained 60 credits you can exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate, after 120 credits with a Postgraduate Diploma, and when you have gained 180 credits you will have completed the Masters.
The total time allowed for to complete the Masters is 5 years. Once this time has elapsed following your first registration, if you have not ‘cashed in’ your credits you will be awarded the qualification your credits amount to.

The Certificate in Nursing (Clinical Research) is delivered over a 6 month period and consists of three taught modules and a competency assessment schedule. Each module contains 5 days (30hours) of taught content, using a combination of classroom and web-based teaching methods (blended learning). Modules are delivered consecutively to facilitate a flexible approach for students unable to enrol for the entire programme in a single academic year. Students can also choose to undertake stand-alone modules for academic credit. The programme is provided through the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery RCSI, in partnership with the Clinical Research Centres at Beaumont Hospital, The Mater Hospital and St Vincent’s’ Hospital, Dublin. As part of the programme each participant is required to achieve practical clinical learning outcomes and attain competency in key areas related to the role of the research nurse. This is done under the supervision of a mentor in the student’s research site or at a designated clinical research centre.

Research in Health Practice is a modular postgraduate programme which has been designed to meet the professional needs of a range of health and social care practitioners who are interested in developing their skills as researchers in practice. The programme offers the flexibility to enable students to build their knowledge and skills in designing and conducting programmes of research. Most appealing is the online aspect, meaning that students can remain within their practice area whilst gaining that all important Masters level qualification, helping them progress their career to specialist practitioner or consultant level within the NHS.
The programme provides an innovative and integrated blend of knowledge-based, activity-based and experiential learning, underpinned by self reflection and peer review. A virtual learning environment will form the focus for organising the learning, providing a platform for discussion and sharing of ideas.

The structure of the programme consists of three taught modules: Practice Management & Research Governance, Epidemiology (20M Credits), Epidemiology, Statistics & Research Methods (20M Credits) and Qualitative Research Methods (20M Credits) followed by a Research Thesis.

The Research Governance module can be taken as a stand alone module

Course Structure
The components comprising the MPhil are: 5 core modules, a series of compulsory seminars and a 12 week clinical research project.

The full time course takes 1 year (3 terms). Taught elements: in the 1st and 3rd Terms and a 12 week placement over Term 2 and the start of Term 3.

For the part time course it is spread over 2 years (6 terms). Elements are taught in the 1st and 3rd terms of each year and the option of completing the 12 week project in either Term 2 or Term 5. If necessary, it may be possible for part-time students to do two shorter 6 week projects, subject to availability. It is the intention of the MPhil in TMAT to allow students to take advantage of flexible modular scheduling which allows the student to fit

Available as a stand-alone course, the PGCert is suitable for practitioners involved in expanding or developing their roles, who need to be able to find and critically appraise research, implement new service developments and evaluate the effectiveness of their practice. The modules consider how to find, construct and implement new clinical guidelines, plan for practice development and assess readiness for research-based change, as well as consider how to efficiently find and appraise best evidence, select appropriate methods of evaluation and professional behaviour change and negotiate for funding and support. The course aims to equip practitioners with the skills and knowledge to present their work in the public, professional and academic arena eg writing for publication, constructing proposals. Students who complete the postgraduate certificate can progress to the MSc in Professional Practice (Research and Development).

The course provides training in research skills and methods to increase the capability of health care professionals to undertake both primary and secondary research and service development. The aim of the course is to develop practitioners who can function at an advanced level of practice and provide leadership in the planning and evaluation of improvements in health care. The course is suitable for health care professionals and administrative or managerial staff who have an interest in health care practice or education. It is likely to appeal to practitioners undertaking career development in consultant, advanced and specialist roles, who want to learn R&D skills focusing on applied research designs and methods to evaluate health care provision. The course stresses relevant and practical research competencies used for positive impact on practice and dissemination of research findings. It includes modules which aid netting research evidence, undertaking empirical research and disseminating findings.

This programme is designed to develop the knowledge and skills set of graduates interested in a career in research, or those thinking about studying for a PhD. It also meets the continuing need amongst professionals from a range of backgrounds for high quality research skills, both in terms of the critical appraisal of published research literature and the development of new research projects. Students who complete the programme will be able to conduct successful research projects, and apply research findings to their own area of interest. Students will be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, theories and methods, and will be able to evaluate critically a broad range of issues and their application to research. The programme is flexible, so students can study for interim awards (Postgraduate Certificate - Qualitative Research; Postgraduate Certificate - Quantative Research; and Postgraduate Diploma) as well as the full Master of Science award. Students can also study single modules for continuing professional development purposes, on an 'attendance only' basis.