Research Ethics Committee ApprovalIf your study is involving patients or users of theNHS; patient data; NHS staff or NHS premises orfacilities you will need to obtain Local ResearchEthics Committee approval as well as R&Dapproval. Please contact the Calderdale andHuddersfield LREC Administrator for details onhow to apply.

Recommended Reading• Research Governance Framework in Health

and Social Care (2005)

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/ResearchAndDevelopment/fs/en

• Central Office for Research EthicsCommittees

http://www.corec.org.uk

• University of Huddersfield - School ResearchEthics Panel, Systems for ethical approval /gaining advice of SREP

http://www.hud.ac.uk/hhs/research/general_r/srep.htm

• Research Governance Framework LeafletSeries # 1-12

Available from the R&D Dept.

Research governance framework leaflet series

StudentResearch

For further informationThe PCT Research Governance Facilitators aremore than happy to offer additional advice andhelp if this is required. Please contact:

PCT Research Governance FacilitatorsR&D Department, Room 310, Learning Centre,Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Lindley,Huddersfield, HD3 3EA.

Tel: 01484 347007

Or

Airedale, Calderdale and Huddersfield Research Ethics Committee, Fleming House, Airedale General HospitalKeighley, BD20 6TD.

Tel: 01535 294657

Or for North Kirklees PCT:

Wakefield District RECWakefield West PCT, White Rose House, WestParade, Wakefield WF1 1LT.

Tel: 01924 213110

Calderdale Primary Care Trust, Huddersfield CentralPrimary Care Trust, North Kirklees Primary Care Trust

and South Huddersfield Primary Care Trust

This leaflet was created by Calderdale andHuddersfield NHS Trust on behalf of the 4 PCTs

© Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust 2005

PCT Leaflet No. 4

Research governanceframework leaflet series

Student ResearchTraining in research methodology and practiceis an essential part of the education of manyhealth professionals and others who have aninterest in health care practice.

Research Governance Frameworkand studentsThe Research Governance Framework (RGF)(2005) aims to improve research quality andsafeguards the public by:

• Enhancing ethical and scientific quality

• Promoting good practice

• Reducing adverse incidents and ensuringlessons are learned

• Preventing poor performance andmisconduct.

This leaflet aims to explain the requirementsand implications of the RGF with particularreference to student research.

Status of student projectsResearch projects undertaken by students, aspart of their studies must be carried out underthe standards of the RGF.

The supervisor should also check forms for R&Dand LREC approval before submission.

As time is usually limited, the research questionand methodology should be modest enough toproduce valid data on a small scale within thelimited time available.

R&D ApprovalApprovals by the R&D Department must beawarded before the research commences.Students should allow sufficient time (up to 60days) for this process in planning for the study.Staff in the R&D office are happy to offeradditional advice and help if this is required.

In light of these timescales we recommend thatfor undergraduate students that thedissertation is a literature based study whichcan speed up the process (up to 30 days). Thishas the support of the University ofHuddersfield.

Please contact the Research GovernanceFacilitators for the necessary forms – contactdetails on back of leaflet.

Honorary contractsAny researcher who is not employed by the PCT,including students, must have an honorarycontract before they begin their research,access patients, staff or data. Honorarycontracts, if required, are routinely arrangedthrough the PCT’s approvals process.

A student project must therefore meet all ofthe same requirements as any other projectunder the RGF. This means:

• Adequate and appropriate peer review

• R&D Approval

• Research Ethics Committee (REC) approval (Ifapplicable)

• Compliance with the Data Protection Act,1998

• Compliance with PCT policies in general e.g.health and safety.

Roles and responsibilitiesWhen the lead applicant is inexperienced, theresearch supervisor will share the responsibilityfor the ethical and scientific conduct of theresearch. The research supervisor will usuallytake on the role of the principle investigatorfor inexperienced applicants.

Supervisors please refer to the PCT leaflet‘Research Governance – Information forPrincipal Investigators’.

Students have the responsibility to work withtheir supervisor who will help them with theethical and scientific quality of the proposal.Inadequate scientific review of the project willlead to delay in approval which may make theresearch impossible to complete within thetime available.