Research Governance Framework

Bedfordshire County Council is a learning organisation and encourages research as a valuable learning tool. We also have a duty of care to our service users, their families, carers and our staff.  Bedfordshire County Council will ensure that research and related activities involving staff and service users, carers or their data is conducted ethically and to the highest standards possible.

Before an external organisation or individual, including students, can undertake research with social care staff or service users, carers or associated data, they need to satisfy the requirements of the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework |(pdf document opens in new window) and its annex |(pdf document opens in new window).

The Research Governance Framework (RGF) was first published in 2001 and updated in April 2005 and provides guidance on how to assure the quality of research as well as how to ensure the rights of those involved are protected.  It also clarifies the responsibilities of the different agencies and individuals involved in research.  The second edition (2005) gives guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005| (opens in new window) which came into force on 1 October 2007, providing specialist safeguards for participants who lack capacity to consent to research.

What does the RGF cover?

Any activity that involves the collection of information from or about, individuals who may be service users, their relatives or friends, members of the public or employees of the department.  It includes any consultations, surveys, or audits carried out in connection with best value but does not include the routine collection of management information or information collected in the course of normal practice. Specifically, the research covers:

• surveys,
• focus groups,
• evaluations,
• reviews,
• student projects.

What does the RGF require?

The RGF addresses standards in five main areas:

• science, requiring research proposals to be independently reviewed by relevant experts;
• ethics, requiring research to be reviewed independently to ensure rights and safety of research participants;
• information, requiring full and free public access to information on the research and its findings;
• health and safety, requiring the safety of research participants, researchers and other staff be addressed;
• finance, ensuring appropriate arrangements are made for the use of public money.

What are the benefits of the RGF?

Setting up systems to assess and monitor research and related activities will provide Bedfordshire County  Council with the following benefits:

• co-ordinated information on what research activities are taking place;
• findings that are readily available for use, e.g. to inform decision making;
• improved quality of the research being conducted;
• ensuring that service users, carers and staff are not over-consulted;
• avoidance of unnecessary replication of research or reviews;
• safeguarding researchers’ integrity and ensuring compliance with standards;
• ensuring public confidence;
• making sure users, carers and staff are protected

Who does the Research Governance Framework apply to?

The Research Governance procedure applies to you if:

•  You are an external researcher or student wishing to access Adult Services staff, service users, carers or their data for research or consultation purposes
•  You work for Adult Services and would like to undertake some primary research or consultation as part of an academic course
•  You work for Bedfordshire County Council and you want to access Adult Services staff, service users, carers or their data for research or consultation purposes
•  You intend to commission research and consultation that involves access to staff, service users, carers or their data via Adult Services