Research Governance
Through its research activity, Coventry HDRC seeks to embed a research culture within Coventry City Council, encouraging best practice and evidence-based decision-making and driving action to reduce health inequalities. Research will enable Council staff to use evidence in developing policy, practice, and procedures to better meet our residents' needs.
What is research governance?
Coventry HDRC’s research governance framework ensures that all research activities are conducted ethically and responsibly and in accordance with relevant regulations and legislation.
The Research Governance Policy is fundamental to the framework. The policy encompasses the research activity of Coventry City Council staff and research done on the Council's behalf by outside agencies associated with the wider determinants of health.
Steps to make an application
Before making a research governance application, please check the following:
Use the NHS HRA decision tool to decide if your project is research
Review our flow chart to determine whether Coventry HDRC’s process applies to your project.
Read the Research Governance Policy
If both of the above apply:
Read the application form guidance document
View our research governance process chart to understand what happens next
What happens after submission?
Once you submit your application, the Research Governance Officer will review it and any supporting documents and conduct a risk assessment.
Applications that are assessed to be low risk will be reviewed by the Chair and/or Vice-Chair of the Research Ethics Panel.
If a research application is considered moderate or high risk, the Research Ethics Panel will be convened to meet and discuss the application.
Timescales
Within 20 working days of receipt of your application form, we will confirm whether your application has been:
Approved
Approved with conditions
Not approved
If your application is assessed to be low risk, the timescale will be shorter, and we will respond to your application within 10 working days.
We will notify you if we cannot respond within this timescale or need further information from you to process your application.
Useful templates
We have created some blank templates which can be used for research projects. These include:
Contact us
If you need help with your application or if you have any questions, please get in touch with the Research Governance Officer: CoventryHDRC@coventry.gov.uk