This year marks a decade of transformative funding from the Health Research Board (HRB), a milestone that we are honored to celebrate.
Welcome to the HRB Trials Methodology Research Network
The HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) is a collaborative initiative between a number of Irish and international higher education institutes and methodology centers.
The David L. Sackett Young Investigator Award recognizes exceptional early-career researchers who exemplify the values of creativity, scientific excellence, and impactful contributions
Trials Methodology Funding Success: University of Limerick Secures Funding to Develop Core Outcome Set for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Health Research Board –
Discover the Future of Clinical Trials: Your Invitation to Explore “A Sense of Elsewhere“ Discover our practical plan for enhancing patient
The world of Trials Methodology may seem complex and daunting, but thanks to the podcast hosted by Ella Howes (University of Leeds)
The HRB-TMRN is a proud Partner in the MRC-NIHR-Trials Methodology Research Partnership in the UK. This Partnership offers significant opportunity for trials
Get the latest HRB-TMRN news
What is the HRB-TMRN?
The HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) is a collaborative initiative between several Irish and international higher education institutes and methodology centres.
We want to strengthen the methodology and reporting of trials in health and social care in Ireland so that they become more relevant, accessible and influential for our community of patients and other service users, practitioners, policymakers and the public. This is achieved through a programme of work relating to the methodology of trials and focused on (i) support, (ii) training and education, (iii) research and innovation and (iv) Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement.
TODAY - HRB-TMRN WEBINAR in collab with @MRCNIHRTMRP @ 1pm (UTC). @prw_paula will deliver a webinar on 'Decarbonising the healthcare, social care and research systems: how can trial methodologists contribute'. To register: https://universityofgalway-ie.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RtTWIyrZRIyMqSztKIF4Rw
The HRB-TMRN along with @ICCCTN are hosting our first in-person IDMC Workshop at the @MoLI_Museum in Dublin on 3rd Feb led by @SharonClintrial & @lcgeorge13 (@MRCCTU) with @nichol_alistair (UCD), @decdevane (UoG) & @john_norrie (QUB). To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/independent-data-monitoring-committee-idmc-workshop-tickets-1965288760587?aff=oddtdtcreator
Our Expertise
Our Network is connected to over 70 national and international trials and trials methodology organisations. We are a partner within the MRC-NIHR-Trials Methodology Research Partnership in the UK. Our collaborations give us access to world leaders in trials methodology research.
Our trials methodology research expertise includes:
Studies within a Trial (SWAT)
A SWAT is an embedded methodology research study within a planned or ongoing trial. We have been involved in SWATS for over 10 years and were involved in the first registered SWAT and we provide annual competitive funding for SWATs. Our members are active in developing and implementing SWATs across a variety of clinical trials nationally and internationally.
Core Outcome Set Development
A core outcome set is agreed, standardised set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all trials for a specific clinical area. We have been involved in developing core outcome sets across a range of clinical areas. We are proud to collaborate with the COMET Initiative in many of these.
Priority Setting
Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) enable clinicians, patients and carers to work together to identify and prioritise evidence uncertainties in particular areas of health and care that could be answered by research.We have led or contributed to research agenda setting across a range of trials methodology topics and also promoted the use of prioritisation setting across clinical trial areas nationally.
Qualitative Research in Trials Methodology
We have specialized expertise in qualitative research in our Qualitative Research in Trials Centre (@QUESTSCentre). Here a team of advisors with expertise in case study research, ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology and qualitative evidence synthesis are active in a wide range of trials methodology projects.
Latest Events
Current Month
january 2026
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"name": "Webinar: Prof. Felix Naughton - An automated, online RCT to evaluate a Just-In-Time Adaptive smoking cessation smartphone app (Quit Sense)",
"url": "https://www.hrb-tmrn.ie/events/webinar-prof-felix-naughton-an-automated-online-rct-to-evaluate-a-just-in-time-adaptive-smoking-cessation-smartphone-app-quit-sense/",
"startDate": "2026-1-15T13:00+0:00",
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In this webinar Prof. Naughton will talk about an automated RCT evaluating a smartphone app called Quit Sense. Quit Sense is a theory-guided Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) app which provides smokers attempting to quit with in-the-moment support to manage cue-induced cravings. The app uses location sensing to tailor the timing and content of support messages to high-risk locations. In this RCT, recruitment, enrolment, randomization, intervention delivery and most data collection were fully automated via the study website. In addition, an automated randomized study-within-a-trial (SWAT) was undertaken to assess the impact of different levels of incentive to promote completion of follow-up measures. The app also included the trial of an automated process evaluation tool, as well as a traditional process evaluation using qualitative interviews. During the talk, key aspects of the methodology will be covered as well as key findings.
Speaker:
Felix Naughton is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of East Anglia (UEA), UK. He is co-lead of the UEA Addictions Research Group and a registered health psychologist. He has a key research interest in the development and evaluation of digital interventions to promote and support health behaviour change, particularly innovative technology-mediated approaches, such as Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions. He currently leads a research programme focused on mobile phone-based smoking cessation interventions. Felix has served on multiple national policy and practice committees, including as a topic expert on behaviour change related NICE (UK) advisory committees.
Event Details
Click here to register In this webinar Prof. Naughton will talk about an automated RCT evaluating a smartphone app called Quit Sense. Quit Sense is a theory-guided Just-In-Time
Event Details
In this webinar Prof. Naughton will talk about an automated RCT evaluating a smartphone app called Quit Sense. Quit Sense is a theory-guided Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) app which provides smokers attempting to quit with in-the-moment support to manage cue-induced cravings. The app uses location sensing to tailor the timing and content of support messages to high-risk locations. In this RCT, recruitment, enrolment, randomization, intervention delivery and most data collection were fully automated via the study website. In addition, an automated randomized study-within-a-trial (SWAT) was undertaken to assess the impact of different levels of incentive to promote completion of follow-up measures. The app also included the trial of an automated process evaluation tool, as well as a traditional process evaluation using qualitative interviews. During the talk, key aspects of the methodology will be covered as well as key findings.
Speaker:
Felix Naughton is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of East Anglia (UEA), UK. He is co-lead of the UEA Addictions Research Group and a registered health psychologist. He has a key research interest in the development and evaluation of digital interventions to promote and support health behaviour change, particularly innovative technology-mediated approaches, such as Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions. He currently leads a research programme focused on mobile phone-based smoking cessation interventions. Felix has served on multiple national policy and practice committees, including as a topic expert on behaviour change related NICE (UK) advisory committees.
more
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"name": "Core Outcome Set Training workshop",
"url": "https://www.hrb-tmrn.ie/events/core-outcome-set-training-workshop/",
"startDate": "2026-1-21T10:00+0:00",
"endDate": "2026-1-21T16:00+0:00",
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To register, click here
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie for more information
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Event Details
To register, click here Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie for more
Event Details
more
february 2026
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"name": "Independent Data Monitoring Committee Course (In-person)",
"url": "https://www.hrb-tmrn.ie/events/independent-data-monitoring-committee-course-in-person/",
"startDate": "2026-2-3T09:30+0:00",
"endDate": "2026-2-3T16:00+0:00",
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Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network
Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
General admission: €200. To register, CLICK HERE
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie to express interest in attending
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Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin General admission: €200. To register,
Event Details
Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network
Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
General admission: €200. To register, CLICK HERE
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie to express interest in attending
more
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"name": "Webinar: Prof. Rhiannon Evans - Process evaluations: How do we explain why interventions work or cause harm?",
"url": "https://www.hrb-tmrn.ie/events/webinar-prof-rhiannon-evans-process-evaluations-how-do-we-explain-why-interventions-work-or-cause-harm/",
"startDate": "2026-2-12T13:00+0:00",
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This webinar will introduce process evaluations. Process evaluations are often integrated with outcome evaluations (e.g. RCTs). They help to explain why an intervention was or was not effective by exploring: 1) If it activated the intended causal pathways; 2) If it was implemented as planned; 3) If it was acceptable to delivery agents and participants; and 4) If the wider delivery context was supportive or inhibitive. The webinar will describe key process evaluation concepts, frameworks and guidance, alongside common methods that are used to undertake them.
Speaker:
Professor Rhiannon Evans is based at DECIPHer, which is a public health research centre of excellence at Cardiff University. The centre is focused on the development, implementation, evaluation and adaptation of interventions. Professor Evans is the Deputy Director and lead for health inequalities research. She is Deputy Director of the NIHR Public Health Research Systematic Reviews Team, which undertakes evidence syntheses to inform NIHR funding priorities. Rhiannon is Co-Investigator on the newly established Wales National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm and the NIHR Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). Her methodological expertise in in complex systems informed systematic reviews, intervention development and adaptation, and process evaluations. She was Principal Investigator on MRC-NIHR funded ADAPT guidance to support the adaptation of interventions for new contexts.
Event Details
Click here to register This webinar will introduce process evaluations. Process evaluations are often integrated with outcome evaluations (e.g. RCTs). They help to explain why an intervention was
Event Details
This webinar will introduce process evaluations. Process evaluations are often integrated with outcome evaluations (e.g. RCTs). They help to explain why an intervention was or was not effective by exploring: 1) If it activated the intended causal pathways; 2) If it was implemented as planned; 3) If it was acceptable to delivery agents and participants; and 4) If the wider delivery context was supportive or inhibitive. The webinar will describe key process evaluation concepts, frameworks and guidance, alongside common methods that are used to undertake them.
Speaker:
Professor Rhiannon Evans is based at DECIPHer, which is a public health research centre of excellence at Cardiff University. The centre is focused on the development, implementation, evaluation and adaptation of interventions. Professor Evans is the Deputy Director and lead for health inequalities research. She is Deputy Director of the NIHR Public Health Research Systematic Reviews Team, which undertakes evidence syntheses to inform NIHR funding priorities. Rhiannon is Co-Investigator on the newly established Wales National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm and the NIHR Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). Her methodological expertise in in complex systems informed systematic reviews, intervention development and adaptation, and process evaluations. She was Principal Investigator on MRC-NIHR funded ADAPT guidance to support the adaptation of interventions for new contexts.
more
march 2026
Interactive One-Day Workshop
Click here to Register
Participants can anticipate an informative and practical event that will equipping them with the tools to calculate sample size and assess study power, and an understanding that will help them navigate the intricacies of clinical trial planning and analysis.
A comprehensive overview of key steps in the process will be discussed, rationale explained, and several worked examples provided. Attendees will gain insights into techniques for obtaining or estimating effect size, a primary determinant of a required sample size. PI experience, common pitfalls and challenges will be discussed in a panel discussion.
Study day will end with a Statistics Clinic – you can bring your own problem to be discussed with a statistician (please email brief description in advance).
This Study Day is tailored for clinicians, students, researchers, and professionals involved in clinical trial design, conduct and analysis, with no or intermediate level of experience with statistical planning.
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie for more information
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"name": "Trial Steering Committee (TSC) functions & challenges: workshop for researchers & TSC members",
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"startDate": "2026-3-23T09:30+0:00",
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Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network
Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
General admission: €200. To register, CLICK HERE
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie if you have any questions
","location":[{"@type":"Place","name":"Museum of Literature Ireland, Stephen's Green, Dublin 2","address":{"@type": "PostalAddress","streetAddress":"86 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02XY43"}}]}Event Details
Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin General admission: €200. To register,
Event Details
Co-hosted with Irish Critical Care Clinical Trials Network
Location: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
General admission: €200. To register, CLICK HERE
Contact us at hrb-tmrn@universityofgalway.ie if you have any questions
more
Our Ethos
Collaboration & innovation
We work collaboratively and innovatively. Our doors are always open to new ideas in Trials methodology.
Inclusion
Involvement of all key stakeholders including patients and the public is central to what we do. This helps us ensure our work will matter most and achieve impact.
Capacity
Capacity-building is central to all our work. This is essential to provide opportunity, invigorate perspective and build our research future.
Our Network operates across five University Partners,
each leading the way in trials methodology research and training
