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Radiography 17 (2011) 268–269

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Radiography

journal homepage: www.elsevier .com/locate/radi

Guest Editorial

Research and the radiography profession: A strategy for research 2010–2015

June 2010 saw the combined launch of the third ResearchStrategy1 for the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) andthe revised College of Radiographers Industrial Partnership Scheme(CoRIPS), marking a new stage in the research development of ourprofession. Building on the strengths of previous strategies thisjoint initiative aims to promote the ethos of research or evidencebased practice by supporting radiographers in the implementationof best practice in alignment with requirements of professionalstandards2 and the SCoR Learning and Development Frameworkfor Clinical Imaging and Oncology.3

A fundamental purpose of the Research Strategy is to providea framework to guide radiography managers and radiographyeducation providers, in the development of their own strategicpolicies centred around research and evidence based practice.Specifically the strategy focuses on five main facets:

1. The development of a research environment that supports andencourages world class research.

2. The provision and development of the best researchers andresearch leaders

3. The establishment of clear and defined research priorities forboth diagnostic and therapeutic radiography.

4. Bringing benefit to society by ensuring research is implementedinto practice

5. Providing a web-based research resource offering guidance andsupport for all radiographers.

The strategy outlines the SCoR role in facilitating and operation-alising research through a range of activities including fosteringcollaboration, providing opportunities for networking, offeringsupport through a mentoring scheme and providing forums todisseminate the results of trials and projects and, exemplars ofgood research practice.

So how can this new strategy help the profession increaseresearch activity and increase the quality of research outputsfrom radiographers? It is acknowledged that research capacitybuilding is important if developing professions are to successfullyovercome the challenges of an evolving health service whilecontinuing to advance practice through evidence based care.4 Thesuccess of capacity building initiatives often hinge on the followingkey factors: identifying the right people to train in research skills,competent leadership, availability of research funding, and anenabling environment for research activity.5 The new SCoRResearch Strategy acknowledges these success indicators and has

1078-8174/$ – see front matter � 2011 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsedoi:10.1016/j.radi.2011.08.001

at its heart a set of activities to facilitate and foster each of them.The SCoR Research Group will play a pivotal role in supportingthe strategy by contributing to the organisation and content ofresearch events, mentoring novice researchers, providing learningmaterials or resources for the researchwebsite, supporting publica-tion of research in peer–reviewed journals (such as Radiography),the development of research priorities for the profession, andacting as role-models for others in the profession. The CoR ResearchGroup will also promote the development of research leads withineach department to co-ordinate and foster research activity at grassroots level.

Through collaboration with our Industry partners the SCoRprovides funding awards to support Radiographer and Radiographyresearch activities with the potential to advance the profession.Since its establishment in 2006 CoRIPS has witnessed a healthyincrease in demand for research funding to support high qualityprojects from radiographers representing a wide range of researchexpertise. A primary aim of the revised scheme is to encourage andpromote research activity from less experienced researchers partic-ularly those new to research or those with intermediate researchexperience. Applications are welcomed from all members of theSociety of Radiographers, proposing projects that align to thedefined SCoR research priorities. This will give less experiencedresearchers the opportunity to kick start their research careerwith some formal financial support as well as direction frommembers of the national research group. CoRIPS is unique fromother funding awards in that all applicants are furnished withsubstantive and constructive feedback from a panel of reviewerson their submission andwhere appropriate unsuccessful applicantsmay be encouraged to develop their work and resubmit. Therevised scheme will continue to employ this model with the aimof nurturing novice researchers to develop the skills and abilitiesto produce high quality research. In addition, radiographers newto research are encouraged to seek out partnership and collabora-tion with more experienced researchers to strengthen their appli-cation. The CoRIPS scheme makes provision for reasonablefunding of a mentor’s time to assist in designing and implementinga research project. Further information and guidance on CoRIPS,how to apply and what we fund, can be found on the SCoR website(https://www.sor.org/members/research/research_fund.htm).

In addition, the SCoR Research Strategy recognises the impor-tance of supporting and enhancing the activities of research leaderswithin the profession to ensure growth of world class research fromUK radiographers through promotion and support of research hubs,

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Guest Editorial / Radiography 17 (2011) 268–269 269

networks and special interest groups. These research leadswill havean important part to play in the assessment process of the nextResearch Excellence Framework (REF).6 Supporting current researchleads is important as their success within the next REF assessmentwill have importance for subsequent research capacity building.

Promotion of and support for networks and special interestgroups is available via the Society of Radiographers website(https://www.sor.org/members/sigsandnets/); groups interestedin promoting their network should contact Rachel Harris atrachelh@sor.org.

Look out for up and coming events and resources provided bythe SCoR Research Group as we continue to strive to supportradiographers in their research activities.

References

1. College of Radiographers. Research and the radiography profession: A strategy forresearch 2010–2015. London: College of Radiographers; 2010.

2. Health Professions Council. Standard of proficiency- Radiographers; 2009.3. Society and College of Radiographers. Learning and development framework for

imaging and clinical oncology. London: CoR; 2008.4. Research and Development Directorate DoH. Best research for best health. A new

national health research strategy. London: Department of Health; 2006.

5. Global Forum for Health. The 10/90 Report on Health Research 2000. Geneva:Global Forum for Health Research; 2000.

6. Higher Education Funding Council for England. Research excellence framework:Assessment framework and guidance on submissions; 2011 Jul.

Heidi Probst*College of Radiographers Research Group, Faculty of Health and

Wellbeing, Robert Winston Building, 11-15 Broomhall Road, SheffieldHallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK

Helen L. GallagherCollege of Radiographers Research Group, School of Health and Life

Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

Rachel HarrisThe Society and College of Radiographers, 207 Providence Square,

Mill Street, London SE1 2EW, UK

* Corresponding author.E-mail address: h.probst@shu.ac.uk (H. Probst)

Available online 26 August 2011