Is it Research?

The first question to ask when setting up a study is 'Is it research?'.  

Not all research conducted within the UK requires approval from an NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC). The HRA have develpped a decision tool that will help you to determine if your study requires this type of approval.  http://www.hra-decisiontools.org.uk/ethics/

if your project is research then you will need to:

• write a protocol
• find funding
• obtain sponsorship and
• apply for approval to conduct your research