The Research Governance Framework sets standards for research, defines the responsibilities and accountabilities of everyone involved in the research process and requires that research is monitored and inspected. All research involving WAHT patients, their families or carers, data or stored samples, WAHT staff and research taking place on Trust premises, must be carried out in accordance to this framework. This includes projects undertaken by students as part of their studies.
As time to complete the project is usually limited the research question and methodology should be modest enough to produce valid data on a small scale within the time available. A student research project must meet all the same requirements under research Governance as any other project. This means:
The research supervisor is the person who, when the lead applicant is inexperienced, will share the responsibility for the ethical and scientific conduct of the research. In the case of research undertaken by students primarily for educational purposes, the supervisor takes on the role and responsibilities of the principal investigator.
For many student research projects the university supervisor may provide an adequate level of review. However it is the responsibility of the supervisor to identify proposals which may require broader review, and to ensure that this is carried out. For example an interesting project with wider implications than the immediate educational benefit of the student.
It is essential that the student's project is reviewed before being submitted to the Trust R&D Director, and the Research Ethics Committee for approval. Inadequate scientific review of the project will lead to postponement of approval which may make the research impossible within the time available.
The research supervisor is also responsible for ensuring that the student has sufficient contact time with the supervisor in which to discuss the project and prepare all the necessary paper work. Students have the responsibility to keep appointments with the supervisor and to locate, complete and submit the relevant applications. In addition they should carry out the research in accordance to the standards required by the Research Governance Framework.
Please note that all students and supervisors undertaking research projects at WAHT must have an honorary contract with the Trust. These should be routinely arranged through the Division hosting the student.
The Research Governance Framework requires that WAHT has a register of all the research taking place within the Trust, which includes evidence of Research Ethics Committee approval and an assessment of the cost implications. The process is time consuming and is in itself a valuable educational experience. Time should be factored into the plan for the research to accommodate this work.
Forms for Research Ethics Committee approval are available from the NRES (National Research Ethics Service) website.