Research Facilitation and Delivery Unit (RFDU)

The Research Facilitation and Delivery Unit (RFDU) supports health and social care research projects at the university. Our unit provides support to researchers, matching expertise to the specific needs and stages of each research project, from initial design through to dissemination.

Aims and objectives

Comprehensive Research Support

Design and Setup. We assist with grant application development, background literature searches, research design and methods support, protocol development, and ethical approval processes.
Data Collection and Management. Support participant recruitment, organise and conduct surveys, interviews, focus groups, and manage data collection using robust methodologies.
Data Analysis. Provide quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including descriptive/inferential statistics, thematic analysis, and transcription services.
Dissemination. Assist with the preparation and submission of research reports, journal papers, book chapters and presentations for conferences and other academic forums.

Enhance Research Quality

Utilise the expertise of our team to improve the design, execution, and reporting of research projects, ensuring adherence to high ethical standards and governance practices.

Facilitate Collaborations

Promote partnerships within the university and with external academic and healthcare organisations to foster collaborative research efforts. Highlight successful projects and partnerships to attract new collaborators and funding opportunities.

Operational Efficiency

Streamline administrative processes to support research activities effectively. Provide technical and logistical support to facilitate smooth project management and execution, including organising meetings, seminars, and conferences, and providing general administrative assistance including the design and management of project websites and social media.

The RFDU is committed to advancing health and social care research by providing essential support services that enable researchers to focus on their core activities and achieve impactful outcomes. Our team is here to ensure that every research project receives the specialised attention and resources it needs to succeed.

Expert Administrative and Academic Support: The RFDU provides essential administrative and academic support, ensuring research projects are efficiently managed and executed from start to finish. This enables researchers to focus on their core research activities, significantly enhancing productivity and project outcomes.
Enhanced Research Quality: By offering comprehensive services such as grant application development, protocol design, and data analysis, the RFDU ensures that research projects adhere to the highest standards of quality and rigor.
Streamlined Ethical and Governance Processes: With experienced ethics reviewers and expertise in navigating both internal and external ethical approval processes, the RFDU ensures that all research projects comply with ethical standards.
Operational Efficiency: The RFDU's administrative support, including meeting management, seminars and conferences planning and support, as well as technical assistance, streamlines research operations. This reduces administrative burdens on researchers.
Specialised Services: The RFDU offers specialised services such as literature reviews, statistical analysis, audio transcription and the development of grant applications.
Capacity Building: Through support for postgraduate teaching, supervision, and membership in health ethics panels, the RFDU contributes to building research capacity within UCLan.
Broad Range of Expertise: The unit's multidisciplinary team brings together expertise from various fields, including health economics, evidence synthesis, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and more.