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Introduction for researchers
If you are thinking of doing research for or on behalf of Medway
Children and Adults Directorate, this page tells you what you need
to think about before you start.
The council is keen to promote itself as a learning
organisation. One way in which it can further this aim is by
encouraging research as a valuable learning tool. However, it also
has a duty of care to service users, their families and carers and
to staff who might be the subjects of any research. This is what
the approvals process is there to do.
It is in everyone’s interests to ensure that research is carried
out to a high standard. Research includes any study, survey or
consultation intended to gather information which involves access
to anyone in one of the groups mentioned above, either directly or
indirectly.
What this means
Before starting your research, you should contact the Research
and Information Team to discuss what you might want to do. If your
research idea seems suitable, you will need to obtain approval and
will have to:
- prepare a research proposal, which should cover the areas
outlined in the research proposal guide;
- complete a research application form
(pdf 30KB) for submission to the research co-ordinator. To use this
file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this
on your computer, please use our advice page.
If you are undertaking research through a university, your
supervisor will provide advice and support in preparing your
research proposal.
If you decide to submit a research application
Your research application will need to go through a research approval process. The council will
decide whether to approve your research based on the criteria
covered in the application form and your research proposal.
Once it has your proposal and application form, it will give you
a decision as soon as it can. If your application is
straightforward, you have addressed all the areas outlined in the
research proposal guide and it does not involve issues of high risk
to participants, your application should be processed quite
quickly. If your application is more complex, it will be referred
to the Research Approvals Group and this decision
might take a bit longer.
Provided your application is approved, you will be able to go
ahead and the council will arrange for you to access participants
as necessary. Your research will be registered on the council’s
research database and will be also monitored by a named contact
within the Children and Adults Directorate.
If you do not receive approval, you will be given reasons and
information about how to appeal against the decision. Where
possible, you will be given advice on how you might change your
proposal to ensure it complies with the council’s requirements.
Who to contact to find out more
Your first step is to contact the Research and Information Team
to discuss your ideas and to request a Research Application Pack
using the details below.
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