Research governance

All research involving human participants must consider the following issues from the inception of the research project and researchers should be in a position to justify their research methods should it be required.

i. the value of the research
ii. informed consent
iii. openness and honesty
iv. right to withdraw without penalty
v. confidentiality and anonymity
vi. protection from harm
vii. briefing and debriefing
viii. reimbursements, payments and rewards
ix. experience of researcher and suitability of methods employed
x. ethics standards of external bodies and institutions
xi. research for clients/consultants

These issues require careful consideration and the principles laid out here provide the basis for good practice in research management.