ABSTRACT
Research project-based programmes provide a more self-directed learning experience to a deeper level, where students build research training around a substantial research project that is supervised by one or more experienced researchers. Research ideas need to crystallise into achievable research projects. The level of the research degree training that is commenced depends on the prior research training and experience of the potential research student, the clarity of the question, the scale of the research project and the availability of required resources. For basic research training the choice of university is probably relatively unimportant, as any research-based university will have a range of courses. Hence most health professionals with some practice experience and some early research training may be allowed to commence at the masters level. The higher the level of the proposed research training and degree, the greater the requirement for prior research training and experience, and the deeper that experience should be.
