Research is the key mechanism for the development and advancement of innovative medicines, clinical practice, exploratory treatments, novel therapies and healthcare delivery. The process of research is not isolated, but is governed by a range of legislations, policies, frameworks and directives, which are described in the Research Governance Framework (RGF, 2005). The RGF facilitates the national and legal standards for the conduct of research within the NHS, harmonizes the applicable regulations and ensures that the standards derived from this are implemented and maintained.

Research governance is needed to:

• Protect the wellbeing, health and safety of research participants

• Fortify accurate reporting, quality assurance and control

• Ensure the generation of reliable and valid data

• Ensure that research activities are ethical, legal and of good scientific quality

• Ensure that the appropriate liabilities and accountabilities are identified and put in place

• Promote pharmacovigilance to enhance reporting, reduce adverse events and protocol misconduct

• Encourage good clinical practice

• Ensure that research is monitored and audited, which supports both good clinical practice and the wellbeing of the patients.