Research ethics and governance

The Health Research Authority (HRA; 2017), defines research as, "The attempt to derive generalisable or transferable new knowledge to answer or refine relevant questions with scientifically sound methods." This excludes audits of practice and service evaluations.

Research ethics are the principles that guide how we work with participants and their data, colleagues and research staff and users of the research to protect them from any potential harm or distress.

Research governance is the broad framework used to ensure the research undertaken is high quality and adheres to relevant guidelines, such as safeguarding and data protection.

If you are planning to undertake, commission or participate in research that involves Kirklees staff, local residents and/or people accessing Kirklees Council services, you must complete a Research ethics and governance review process.

If you work for Kirklees Council and have been asked by an external person (including students) to participate in research or to invite colleagues or service users to do so, you must signpost them to the research ethics and governance review process before they can proceed. Contact us via ResearchEthics@kirklees.gov.uk if you require advice or support with this.

Why research ethics and governance is important

It helps to minimise any potential risk of harm or distress, caused as a result of being involved with research; and to prevent any adverse impact on people, services, organisations or society.

How to complete a research and data ethics and governance process

Step 1: Check whether your project is defined as 'research'

Does your project involve any of the following:

Direct contact with Kirklees Council staff or volunteers, users of Kirklees Council services and/or local residents?
Access to identifiable personal data for individuals, that is not already in the public domain?
Any potential risk of harm or distress for participants or research staff?
Research into potentially sensitive areas/topics/themes?
Use of students as researchers?

If no, your project does not require a research and data ethics and governance review process.

If yes, you must complete a Research ethics and governance review process.

Step 2: Check whether your project requires approval, or already has approval, from either a university or NHS Ethics Committee (Appendix B).

Is your project being led by/are you collaborating with, a health institution (e.g. NHS organisation)? Does it involve healthcare staff, patients, health and social care settings and/or health related treatments/interventions?

If yes to any of the above, your project may require ethical approval from an NHS Research Ethics Committee. Please contact the Research ethics service and research ethics committees for guidance prior to commencing your project.

Is your project being led by/are you collaborating with, an academic institution (e.g. university)? Does it involve university students or staff, or take place within university buildings or environments?

If yes to any of the above, your project may require ethical approval from the university. Please contact the university's own research ethics and integrity committee.

If yes, you must share your NHS/Academic ethics committee application and approval evidence with ResearchEthics@kirklees.gov.uk (but you do not need to complete the Kirklees Council research ethics and governance review process).

If no, you must complete the Kirklees Council research ethics and governance review process. Go to Step 3 below.

Step 3: Complete the Kirklees Council research ethics and governance review process.

Complete the Kirklees Council research ethics and governance form below, by answering all of the questions asked in the embedded guidance document.

Attach your research tools.

Send to ResearchEthics@Kirklees.gov.uk and wait for an outcome. You will receive notification that:

Your project has received ethical approval, you can proceed with your research.
We require additional information about your project.
Your project has not received approval, changes are required to ensure it is safe and robust.