Thinking of doing social care or related research
on the Isle of Wight?

Research benefits our knowledge about the community and how we act. If undertaken competently and responsibly, it improves lives and benefits our environment. We also have a responsibility to ensure that research is carried out in a proper, non-abusive and respectful way.

This is why we have a process for supporting and giving approval to research.

‘Research’ is regarded as any study, survey or consultation intended to gather information, which involves access to people in contact with public or community services, either directly or indirectly.

Our research governance framework covers all forms of research conducted by external researchers as well as the staff of the Council and our other public and third sector partners.

The Council will not sponsor or support research involving social care service users, their families and carers unless it has been approved by the research governance framework. Other research involving citizens using a wide range of public and third sector services may also be required to have full approval.

The Research Co-ordinator can discuss early ideas and proposals; some projects may not need to use the process.

If research ideas are realistic and achievable, researchers can apply online through this website to gain approval to proceed. Applicants will need to prepare and submit a full research proposal that will set out how the project is worthwhile and safe to proceed. Information on what will be involved in an application can be found in our website pages on ‘how to make an application’.

Students undertaking research through a university can ask their supervisor to provide advice and support in preparing a research proposal. There is also plenty of information on this website that clearly sets out what is needed in a full application, and there is a web link to our easy online application process.

Our research framework is not simply an approval process. Our reviewers will give helpful advice and support to competent applicants if it will improve the rigour of methodology, the ethical approach or the benefits of the project. Applications have access to a pool of expertise and knowledge.

We can also advise applicants on making applications to other governance processes and NHS bodies.

Research applications pass through our research approval process. We will decide whether to approve research proposals by checking them against our standards and principles criteria.

Once we have your application form and proposal we will give you a decision as soon as we can. If your application is straightforward, you have addressed all the areas outlined in the Research Proposal Guide and it does not involve a level of risk to participants, your application should be processed quite quickly; often within two weeks. If your application is more complex, it will be referred to the Research Governance Board and this decision might take a bit longer.

Provided your application is given approval to proceed, you will be able to go ahead with your agreed project plan. Your research will be registered on the Council’s research database and if appropriate on the Social Care Institute for Excellence online database. You will also be helped and monitored by a named contact within the sponsoring organisation.

We will expect you to keep to your project plan and to maintain the high standards that were agreed in the application. The Research Governance Board will take steps to intervene if there is evidence that this is not the case

If you do not receive approval, you will be given reasons and information about how to appeal the decision. Where possible, you will be given advice on how you might change your proposal to ensure it complies with the Council’s requirements.

Contact the Research Governance Co-ordinator to discuss your ideas and making an application.

The contact details are:

Martin Johnson
Partnerships Manager (RGF Lead)
County Hall

High Street
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 2EA

Telephone: 01983 821000 ext 6217
[email protected]