ResearchProspective Research StudentsTrinity College has a long history as a leading research University and The School of Nursing and Midwifery has a thriving research community. The school offers outstanding students the opportunity to pursue advanced research, leading to the M.Sc. or the Ph.D. degree. The facilities for research at Trinity College are excellent and the school has a range of endeavour across midwifery and the core nursing disciplines that is responsive to College–wide research themes and promotes interdisciplinary efforts, yet is based on the research agendae of individual researchers, is open to future unexpected advances, fosters academic freedom and enhances the teaching programmes. The atmosphere in the school and on campus is collegiate and co-operative, with both researchers and the academic staff acting as veritable sources of knowledge, advice and understanding to students who are new to the programmes. Skills building strategies emphasise collaborative/participatory, holistic and interdisciplinary research with a health promotion focus. All research has a strong interface with practice and/or education, thus empowering students, clinical sites and health service users alike. In its monthly seminar series and in meetings of the research groups, efforts continue to both understand the role of nursing and midwifery in pursuit of the themes and to develop complementary and interdisciplinary research projects. The School of Nursing and Midwifery recognises the interdisciplinary nature of holistic health care and actively fosters a culture of collaboration with other professions such as social work, education, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medicine, sociology and health promotion. Given the nature of nursing and midwifery, developing clinical research is also of paramount importance, and close working relationships with clinical areas in affiliated health service providers are well established. Research GroupingsA number of recognised Research Groupings have been established in the following core health critical research areas:
The School has organised resources around these research groups, new and established. The central aim of this approach is to help staff to focus and work towards agreed objectives and to build on existing areas of strength. These recognised research groups have been closely aligned with key themes that reflect the overall College Research Strategy. Also, a PhD level group leader has been established and an experienced visiting professor engaged, for each group, to provide support and mentorship in both research proposal writing and publication. It is anticipated that these recognised research groups will have a pivotal role in advancing existing researchers, and in supporting novice researchers and future PhD students. Student Research SeminarsThe programmes encourage students to promote research amongst themselves through research seminars, which allow informal discussions with peers in a constructive manner. These interactions occur on a regular basis, and they facilitate the exchange of ideas and encourage interdisciplinary research. MSc by Research and PhD by ResearchThe MSc by research can be taken in a minimum of one year full-time or two years part-time, although the majority of students take two years full-time or three years part-time. Suitable candidates whose research projects are progressing well and can be extended are offered the opportunity to continue on the PhD register after at least one year of full-time work. The PhD by research can be taken in a minimum of two years full-time or three years part-time, although the majority of students take three years full-time or four years part-time. Research students are eligible to attend all lectures on research methodology, statistics and qualitative data analysis given on the Faculty of Health Sciences' MSc programmes. They may also take the Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics free of charge, with the permission of the Head of the Department of Statistics. Other theoretical input provided by other Schools and Departments in the College may also be accessed as appropriate (e.g. psychology, sociology, women's studies, community health, epidemiology). In addition, monthly research seminars are held to provide a forum for research students and staff to share problems, discuss research issues and to present initial findings and draft conference presentations. All research students are expected to contribute to the teaching in the School, up to a maximum of six hours per week. Some MSc students also supervise Access students in the undertaking of their literature reviews. Some PhD students also supervise BNS or taught MSc students in the undertaking of their research proposals/theses. Research dissertations are written, describing in detail the aims, rationale, background, methods and conduct of the study, results and discussion in relation to the world literature. MSc dissertations should not usually exceed 60,000 words. Doctoral dissertations are usually of not more than 100,000 words and are defended in a viva voce examination. Entry CriteriaThe entry criteria for the MSc by research are: a good honours degree in nursing, midwifery or related subject, a strong interest/demonstrated ability in research and an acceptable research proposal. The research proposal must contain a literature review and must set out clearly the aims, methods, tools and means of assuring validity and reliability of the study. Ethical issues must be discussed in brief, and examples of consent forms etc. given. The entry criteria for doctoral study are: A good Master's degree in nursing, midwifery or related subject, demonstrated ability in research and a high-quality research proposal. The research proposal must contain an extensive literature review and must set out clearly the aims, methods, tools and means of assuring validity and reliability of the study. Ethical issues must be discussed, and examples of consent forms etc. given. Research supervisionSupervision sessions are usually conducted face-to-face, and contact is also maintained through e-mail and by telephone. Students can avail of supervision whenever they express a need i.e. usually within one week of a request. Supervision takes place on average once a month, for a 1-2 hour period, but individual need takes precedence. PhD students require, and receive, more detailed supervision than do MSc students. Peer supervision also occurs during student presentation of work in progress at the monthly research seminars. Students and supervisors complete an annual report on progress for the Dean of Graduate Studies. Annual reports are also completed for the funding bodies, as applicable. Student SupportStudent Support Computers labs are available on TCD main campus, at 24 D'Olier Street and in the John Stearne Library in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences on St. James's campus, and in the computer labs in the Trinity Center for Health Sciences on the Tallaght Hospital campus. Registered research students have reading rights at Trinity College Library which is the largest library in Ireland. In addition to the purchases and donations of almost four centuries, since 1801 the Library has had the right to claim all British and Irish publications under the terms of successive Copyright Acts. The bookstock is now over four million volumes and there are extensive collections of manuscripts, maps and music. Books can be accessed from any one of the TCD libraries and delivered within two days to that site, including on the main campus, St. James's Hospital and Tallaght Hospital sites. There is a 600 sq. m. facility available for research students in the School at 24 D'Olier Street. Students can purchase SPSS software for a nominal fee. Ethnograph package for qualitative analysis is available on the TCD network. Research students have access to photocopying facilities in the School. Courses are available free of charge to all research students on: literature searching, library usage, research methods, use of Word, Excel, SPSS, Ethnograph packages. All students may attend the Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics course, with the permission of the Head of the Department of Statistics, and take the examination if they so wish. Students have access to student health and counselling services and can avail of various courses in stress management and time management also. Application procedureInterested students usually contact the Acting Director of Research, discuss their intended research, receive advice and finally submit a detailed proposal. If the proposal meets the School's criteria, the student is invited to submit an application to Graduate Studies and is then accepted into the School as a MSc student initially. Following one year on the MSc register and if sufficient progress is demonstrated, the candidate may be permitted to transfer to the PhD register to complete the work, or may continue on the MSc register if desired. Contact:Ms Marie Pierre Lavergne Dr. Gabrielle McKee Further general information on Research at Trinity College Dublin NOTE: The School reserve the right to amend the contents of this page to reflect any curriculum and course management changes. The details outlined in this page are subject to change. The University of Dublin , Trinity College is not bound by errors in, or omissions from this course information document.
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