Research Governance Framework
Frequently Asked Questions

What is research?
Research is defined as any work which involves collecting information from or about service users, their relatives and carers and employees of the council. It includes surveys, focus groups, consultations, reviews, evaluations, Best Value Audits, and student projects.

What is meant by the principal/main researcher?
The person designated as taking overall responsibility for the design, conduct and reporting of the study.

What about anyone else involved in the research?
The other participants in the research are called the research team. These will be other researchers who, with the Main Researcher, comprise the people conducting the study and includes field workers.

Who will organize access to research participants if I am conducting a survey?
A "nominated link officer" or “sponsor” who will be a named council officer, usually an experienced manager, is appointed to provide a link between the council and the researcher. This person's role is to facilitate access to research participants and to oversee and monitor the progress of the research on behalf of the council. They are NOT responsible for providing support and advice about the research itself.

What is a research proposal?
A written document that defines the subject of the research, the methodology, timescales and plans that show how the research will be carried out. It accompanies the application form and should also address the criteria set out in the Research Proposal Guide. The proposal and the application must be approved before the research can begin.

What about Data Protection?
Confidentiality is essential in research and researchers should be aware of data protection legislation and local authority procedures and requirements for data protection.

What information should participants be given?
An information sheet including: What the research is about, the researcher’s name and contact details, how and why the participant was selected, how to withdraw from the research, how to complain, what information will be gathered, what the information will be used for and what will happen to any information (eg: interview tapes; questionnaires etc) after the research has been completed. It should be in the participants own language and be accessible to people with disabilities.

What happens to research when it is completed?
The RGF panel is compiling a database of all research carried out to inform future research and improve service delivery. Managers in the sponsor organisation also receive copies.

How do I decide what to research?
If a researcher is not clear on what to research, for example to undertake a student project, the RGF Board will compile a list of research needs that could be used to improve knowledge and services.

What are Intellectual Property Rights?
Ownership of the research usually resides with the principal researcher or the research team. For research that has been commissioned (ie funded by an external organization or group), depending on the contract, it is possible that the Intellectual Property Rights may lie with that body. Sponsorship of a piece of research will not necessarily confer rights on the sponsor.

What is a research sponsor?
A sponsor is an organisation (likely to be the local authority) taking primary responsibility for: ensuring the design of the study meets applicable standards, ensuring that arrangements are in place to ensure appropriate conduct and reporting, and ensuring that all the necessary agreements are in place and are documented The sponsor is usually, but does not have to be, the main funder. The sponsor might be the local authority, a university or a research foundation. Local Authorities are automatically a sponsor of research that involves service users, their families, and carers and the local authority’s staff. In practice, the sponsor will be the manager who has agreed to support the research project and provide access.

Who decides if a proposal is acceptable?
A panel made up of the Council's Caldecott Guardian. Service Managers from Adult and Children's Services, practitioners and services users, meet regularly to consider applications. This process is also delegated to the Research Governance Co-ordinator for non-complex applications.

Who is the research supervisor?
The person who is responsible for the management of the researcher(s) and the research. For a student, it is usually a tutor at the University where they are studying.

What is informed consent?
Researchers have a responsibility to ensure the interests of the research participants are respected. The agreement of potential participants must be sought prior to commencement of that research. Consent should be obtained in writing and must be freely given based on a full understanding of the purpose of the research and what will be required of participants. A copy of the consent form should be provided with the application for approval. The researcher has a duty to ensure that sufficient information is given to enable participants to choose whether they wish to take part in the research. Participants should be made aware that they have a right to withdraw from the research at any time and that exercising that right will in no way affect the level or quality of services they receive.

Children and vulnerable adults are unlikely to be able to give informed consent themselves and researchers will need to address this issue in the research proposal.

If it is intended to involve adults who cannot give informed consent, please contact the Research Governance Co-ordinator at the earliest possible stage in the project planning process.


Who do I contact if I am thinking about doing some research?
The Councils Research Governance Co-ordinator is the council officer who is the official point of referral for all prospective research applicants.

Frequently Asked Questions




  • What is research?
    Research is defined as any work which involves collecting information from or about service users, their relatives and carers and employees of the council. It includes surveys, focus groups, consultations, reviews, evaluations, Best Value Audits, and student projects.

  • What is meant by the principal/main researcher?
    The person designated as taking overall responsibility for the design, conduct and reporting of the study.

  • What about anyone else involved in the research?
    The other participants in the research are called the research team. These will be other researchers who, with the Main Researcher, comprise the people conducting the study and includes field workers.

  • Who will organize access to research participants if I am conducting a survey?
    A "nominated link officer" who will be a named council officer, usually an experienced manager, is appointed to provide a link between the council and the researcher. This person's role is to facilitate access to research participants and to oversee and monitor the progress of the research on behalf of the council. They are NOT responsible for providing support and advice about the research itself.

  • What is a research proposal?
    A written document that defines the subject of the research, the methodology, timescales and plans that show how the research will be carried out. It accompanies the application form and should also address the criteria set out in the Research Proposal Guide. The proposal and the application must be approved before the research can begin.

  • What about Data Protection?
    Confidentiality is essential in research and researchers should be aware of data protection legislation and local authority procedures and requirements for data protection.

  • What information should participants be given?
    An information sheet including: What the research is about The researchers name and contact details How and why the participant was selected How to withdraw from the research How to complain What information will be gathered What the information will be used for What will happen to any information (eg: interview tapes; questionnaires etc) after the research has been completed It should be in the participants own language and be accessible to people with disabilities.

  • What happens to research when it is completed?
    The RGF panel is compiling a database of all research carried out to inform future research and improve service delivery.

  • How do I decide what to research?
    The RGF Panel will compile a list of research that will benefit service need.

  • What are Intellectual Property Rights?
    Ownership of the research usually resides with the principal researcher or the research team. For research that has been commissioned (ie funded by an external organization or group), depending on the contract, it is possible that the Intellectual Property Rights may lie with that body. Sponsorship of a piece of research will not necessarily confer rights on the sponsor.

  • What is a research sponsor?
    A sponsor is an organisation (likely to be the local authority) taking primary responsibility for: Ensuring the design of the study meets applicable standards Ensuring that arrangements are in place to ensure appropriate conduct and reporting Ensuring that all the necessary agreements are in place and are documented The sponsor is usually, but does not have to be, the main funder. The sponsor might be the local authority, a university or a research foundation. Local Authorities are automatically a sponsor of research that involves service users, their families, and carers and the local authoritys staff.

  • Who decides if a proposal is acceptable?
    A panel made up of the Council's Caldecott Guardian. Service Managers from Adult and Children's Services, practitioners and services users, meet regularly to consider applications.

  • Who is the research supervisor?
    The person who is responsible for the management of the researcher(s) and the research. For a student, it is usually a tutor at the University where they are studying.

  • What is informed consent?
    Researchers have a responsibility to ensure the interests of the research participants are respected. The agreement of potential participants must be sought prior to commencement of that research. Consent shoud be obtained in writing and must be freely given based on a full undertanding of the purpose of the research and what will be required of participants. A copy of the consent form should be provided with the application for approval. Children and vulnerable adults are unlikely to be able to give informed consent themselves and researchers will need to address this issue in the research proposal if it is intended to involve people who cannot give consent personally. The researcher has a duty to ensure that sufficient information is given to enable participants to choose whether they wish to take part in the research. Participants should be made aware that they have a right to withdraw from the research at any time and that exercising that right will in no way affect the level or quality of services they receive.

  • Who do I contact if I am thinking about doing some research?
    The Councils research co-ordinator is the council officer who is the official point of referral for all prospective research applicants.



Page last updated on: 05/04/2011