Research governance and ethics

Most therapists are aware of the need to obtain ethics approval for their research activity and may use the terms ‘research ethics’ and ‘research governance’ interchangeably

Research ethics describes the principles that underpin undertaking ethical research. Two main perspectives inform ethical research:

• the need to avoid doing harm to participants, researchers or others
• the need to provide the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people

These principles must underpin your intended research activity and your reasoning must also include consideration of the possible consequences of different courses of action.

Research governance can be defined as the broad range of regulations, principles and standards of good practice that exist to achieve and continuously improve research quality across all aspects of health and social care. These standards are in place to ensure that research activity meets the ethical principles described above.

• Download Library hOT topic: Research Ethics in Governance
  A list of useful references available from the COT library and elsewhere on the topic of research ethics and governance.
  
  
• For members who wish to access further information on research and ethical issues the College recommends the UK Research Integrity Office’s (UKRIO) Code of Practice for Research, a reference tool to support researchers and research organisations in the conduct of research of the highest quality.  Drawing upon UKRIO's experiences in addressing good conduct and misconduct in research, the Code provides principles and standards for researchers and research organisations and also includes a Recommended Checklist for Researchers: a one-page, non-technical checklist for the key points of good practice in research, based on the more detailed standards provided by the Code.
  To download a copy please visit: http://www.ukrio.org.uk/
  

Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (GAfREC)

The College of Occupational Therapists' Research and Development group is aware that there are currently ongoing UK research governance developments; in particular relating to the recent publication of the proposed Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (GAfREC) and research activity involving NHS staff.  Until the final version of GAfREC is published and its related arrangements are in place, any occupational therapists who are planning research and are unsure of what permissions and approvals are necessary are advised to contact the National Research Ethics Service (NRES) queries line queries@nres.npsa.nhs.uk for clarification.  A response is usually provided within four working days.

For more information contact:
Tadas Stumbrys
Research and Development Officer
Tadas.Stumbrys@cot.co.uk
020 7450 2363