Increasing research output and impact through publication of DClinPsy research activity at the University of Hertfordshire

Abstract

This exploratory study considers research published by staff and trainee clinical psychologists from the University of Hertfordshire (UH) Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) programme. This was done to reflect on which group is most often the first author, where the work is published, and the impact potential of this research output.The study employed both quantitative and qualitative enquiry. The quantitative aspect of the study provided descriptive information regarding known publications between January 2015 and October 2022. The qualitative aspect of the study used a questionnaire to find out about dissemination experiences of alumni. The programme prodnced 166 publications during the time period evaluated, an average of 20.8 publications per year. ‘Original Articles’ were the most popular type of publication, with a mean jonenal impact factor of 2.322. Trainee clinical psychologists were most often the first author on publications.The findings show production of research output via publications within journals that, on average, have an impact factor in line with the top 40–60 per cent of psychology journals. The level of output should continue to grow as a result of the increase in commissioned training places. However, there is more that the programme can do to support quality academic dissemination and recommendations for programme development are made. Trainee’s experiences and recommendations for future aspiring publishers are considered as well as a critique of the study itself.