Practising research for better practice

The practice of requiring undergraduate students to conduct clinical research has been criticised and has rightly caused concern. However, evidence from a small scale study provided here suggests that where post registration students are required to conduct clinical research, they are significantly more likely to continue research activities after qualifying. Experience of the University of Hull post-registration students (RSCN) and the 18 months post-registration midwifery programme has led us to question whether nursing and midwifery are 'research based'. The extent to which disciplines that provide research experience in initial training are likely to become 'research based' is questioned.