For researchers

Before starting a project, it is important to determine whether a project is classified as research, service evaluation or an audit. 

What is research?

Research generates new knowledge where there is no or limited evidence available and has the potential to be generalisable or transferable. 

Generalisable means the findings can be reliably extrapolated from the study to a broader population of patients or service users and/or applied to settings or contexts other than those in which they were tested.  

Transferable means the findings of a qualitative study can be assumed to be applicable to a similar context or setting. Although qualitative studies are not usually generalisable, they can often be transferable. 

If you are unsure if your project is research, please speak to the research coordinator in your area for advice or email research.office@porthosp.nhs.uk  

You can also refer to HRA decision tools: http://www.hra-decisiontools.org.uk/research/index.html 

Research will normally require Research Ethics Committee (REC) approval. Please refer to the HRA decision tools to confirm if ethics is required for your project: http://hra-decisiontools.org.uk/ethics/  

If you would wish to carry out a research study, please contact the Research Office by emailing research.office@porthosp.nhs.uk or get in touch with your department lead.

What is service evaluation?

Service evaluation is designed to examine how standard care is delivered with the intention of generating information to inform local decision-making.

If you are planning to carry out a service evaluation, please complete a proposal form and send to research.office@porthosp.nhs.uk

The Research Office will review your proposal to ensure it meets the criteria for service evaluation and will issue a confirmation letter. 

What is an audit?

An audit measures existing practice against evidence-based clinical standards.

For audit queries, please contact the Clinical Audit department - clinical.audit@porthosp.nhs.uk