Research governance

Examples of research governance considerations:  

• Are the research design and methodology robust and appropriate for the setting and have any risks associated with the research been identified and managed?

• Have ethical* issues been appropriately considered and, if applicable, has an appropriate ethical review of the activity been undertaken?

• Is the activity compliant with all relevant legislation (e.g. mental capacity act, data protection act/GDPR)?

• Are the premises/location for the activity suitable?

• Are the staff involved appropriately qualified, trained, experienced and insured?

• Are appropriate contracts in place (e.g. with vendors, for data sharing) and are arrangements in place (e.g. insurance) in case anything goes wrong?

• Is the activity compliant with any relevant professional standards and regulations?

• Is the proposed activity relevant to, or in alignment with standard service pathways and/or the organisation’s priorities, values and governance arrangements?

• Is there sufficient resource (e.g. financial, staffing) within the organisation and provided via the funder to undertake and complete the activity?

• Are there processes in place to monitor conduct, progress and maintain high quality?

• Are processes in place to manage and share research outputs appropriately (including identifying and managing intellectual property)?

• Are the requirements for maintenance and long-term storage of research records/data clear (including retention timelines, archiving arrangements and associated responsibilities)?

*Further information on research integrity and research ethics is available in the About Research Integrity and About Research Ethics Explainers