Research Governance Framework

Activities which need approval include:

• getting information from or about Children and Young People's Services or Adult and Health Services users, their carers, families, relatives or employees
• interviewing members of a social care team for a college or university project
• conducting a survey or focus group with service users seeking their views and experience
• using service user personal data in a service evaluation

If you are unsure about needing approval, please read the application criteria in the Research Approval Group application form.

The routine collection of management data through existing internal systems and processes is not research.

The Department of Health set out standards and procedures to safeguard people doing research. Full details are available from NHS: UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.

Once you have decided that your project needs approval you need to ensure you have this in place before you can start your research.

• Step 1: You must get the support of both your tutor (if appropriate), and a senior manager from either Children and Young People's Services or Adult and Health Services for the research. If you are unsure who to contact please refer to Children and Young People's Services and Adult and Health Services.
• Step 2: You can apply by completing the Research Approval Group application form. Your application must be submitted to us at least one month before you expect to conduct your research. 
• Step 3: You can expect a response from us within 20 working days.

Your compliance with the research governance framework is important because it will ensure that service users, their families, carers and staff who might be subjects of your research are properly protected.  

Please select from the guides listed below:

1. A basic outline of the research process (PDF, 297 KB)
2. Research sampling ideas (PDF, 318 KB)
3. Research methods (PDF, 408 KB)
4. Guidelines for informed consent and information sheets (PDF, 271 KB)
5. A simple guide to developing surveys and questionnaires (PDF, 566 KB)
6. Analysing and interpreting information (PDF, 299 KB)

When your project is finished, you must Contact Research Approval Group (adults) or Contact Research Approval Group (children's) with a copy of your findings. The findings will be shared with the relevant area of the council to help identify any service improvements that can be made as a result of your recommendations.

Remember to share your findings with your research subjects or participants if they have asked you to let them know the outcome of your project.