Table 4 Impact of Research Positions

Individual research skills or participation

Writing/Dissemination

n/a

n/a

Greater self-reported competence in writing research protocol, publishing research, writing & presenting a research report

More involvement in writing publications, presentations and reports for participants who had access to RP

Funding

n/a

Increased no. staff applying for research funding

Greater self-reported competence in applying for research funding

Increased applications for research funding for participants who had access to RP

Data collection an analyses

n/a

n/a

Greater self-reported competence in Using qualitative and quantitative research methods. No change to interpreting data

Increased involvement in data collection for participants who had access to RP

Other individual skills

n/a

n/a

Greater confidence in critically reviewing literature, finding relevant literature , generating research ideas

Research activity and output

n/a

Qualitative reports of increasing numbers of research related activities (increased numbers of staff undertaking research training, participating in research, applying research findings to practice)

Two RPs had prepared at least one manuscript for publication, one fellow applied for PhD scholarship

Increased research activity reported by organisations with RPs

Research culture & attitudes towards research

All four teams showed increased orientation towards research. Improved confidence in 3 out of 4 teams

Improved research culture (practical, informational, and inspirational support, more aware of uses of research, growing ground-swell of interest and enthusiasm about research) Potential service gains (development of patient care, best practice services)

n/a

n/a

Team and organisational level research skills

n/a

n/a

n/a

All items of Research Capacity and Culture tool for team and organisational level were higher in organisations with RP