Step 4
Secure all necessary external approvals (for example NHS, gatekeeper)
When preparing for a research project, it's crucial for both undergraduate and postgraduate students to engage in thorough discussions with their supervisors about the ethical implications of their study. These discussions should determine the necessary external approvals before any ethics application is submitted or the study is initiated.
For research involving the NHS, completing an IRAS (Integrated Research Application System) form is mandatory. You can access the form and other resources through the IRAS website. Keep in mind that obtaining approval from an NHS Research Ethics Committee can take up to 60 days, so it's essential to plan accordingly and ensure all preparations are made in advance.
To support you in the application process, the IRAS website offers a detailed guidance section and an e-learning course. Additionally, the Health Research Authority (HRA) has introduced new eligibility criteria for student research. For the most current information, please check their Student Research Toolkit web page.
Resources to help determine the necessity of NHS approval for your research
- What approvals do I need?
- Is my study research?
- Do I need NHS REC approval?
- Step-by-step guide for students seeking ethical approval – link to document is in step 2
- Student NHS research resource pages
Even if your study involves NHS employees or data from NHS sources and does not require NHS ethics approval, you might still need R&D (Research and Development) and/or Caldicott approval. For further advice, contact one of the departmental chairs of the ethics committee or Lyndsay McDade - Senior Clinical Research Governance Manager.
All research involving clinical research requires the completion of the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification.
For additional information, visit the Clinical Research Governance webpages. If you have any questions, reach out to the Senior Clinical Research Governance Manager.