Research Ethics Glossary

Data will be collected and processed so that individuals, to whom the data relates, cannot be directly or indirectly identified. (e.g. collection without personal identifiers such as name, initials, ID number, full date of birth, audio/video recording of an individual’s voice/image) and consideration of all the means reasonably likely to be used by either you or any other person to identify individuals. ICO website link – what is personal data

Data audit is the processing of data which has previous been collected. A data audit refers to the auditing of data to assess its quality or utility for a specific purpose. Auditing data involves looking at key metrics, other than quantity, to create conclusions about the properties of a data set.

Secondary data analysis is the use of data collected for some other purpose. The data would have been collected for research purposes if new knowledge can be derived (e.g. from testing a hypothesis or identifying/exploring themes following established methodology). If collected for research purposes, if applicable, the research must have been ethically approved.

To investigate whether a service/practice is doing what it should be doing to answer the question “Does this service/practice reach a certain standard?”. Audit usually involves a quality improvement cycle that measures service/practice outcomes against predetermined standards (benchmarking), takes specific actions to improve service/practice outcomes and monitors ongoing sustained improvements to quality against agreed standards or benchmarks. Audits involve an intervention in use only and do not involve any change to the service/practice.

Can involve analysis of existing data and/or include administration of interview and/or questionnaire.

Existing data could have been collected by the investigator or someone else as part of their usual practice/job (e.g. as an applied practitioner). If generalisable or transferable new knowledge can be derived from the existing data (e.g. from testing/generating a hypothesis, form identifying/exploring themes following established methodology or from simple descriptive studies), this is research, which if applicable, must have been ethically approved. The use of existing research data is not a service/practice evaluation.

For more information please visit:

Clinical Audit Support Centre

Is my study research – HRA decision tool

HRA defining research table

Discussion of a personally sensitive subject that the participant might not be willing to otherwise talk about in public (e.g. medical conditions)?

OR

Studies that involve the risk of breaking confidentiality due to safeguarding concerns or disclosure requirements.

OR

Studies that addresses themes or issues in respect of participant’s personal experience which may be of a sensitive nature (e.g. sexual behaviour, illegal or political behaviour, experience of violence, abuse or exploitation, their mental health or their gender or ethnic status) and that therefore may involve any risk of psychological damage or distress to the participant (or the participant’s family).

[Please note - interviews with participants on subjects deemed to be within their professional competence is not considered personally sensitive, as the study does NOT involve asking the participant to reveal personal, confidential or sensitive information]

This is a normal part of academic activity and should be authorised by appropriate School/faculty authorities.

The activity of collecting and studying information about what people want, need and buy or people’s views, attitudes and beliefs about a particular topic

To investigate the effect of a service/practice on experiences and outcomes to answer the question “what standard does this service/practice achieve?”. Service/practice evaluation seeks to assess/describe how well a service/practice is achieving its intended aims. It is undertaken to benefit the people using a service/practice and is designed and conducted with the sole purpose of defining or judging the current service/practice. Service/practice evaluations involves an intervention in use only and do not involve any change to the service/practice.

Can involve analysis of existing data and/or include administration of interview and/or questionnaire.

Existing data could have been collected by the investigator or someone else as part of their usual practice/job (e.g. as an applied practitioner). If generalisable or transferable new knowledge can be derived from the existing data (e.g. from testing/generating a hypothesis, form identifying/exploring themes following established methodology or from simple descriptive studies), this is research, which if applicable, must have been ethically approved. The use of existing research data is not a service/practice evaluation.

For more information please visit:

NHS evaluation toolkit

Is my study research – HRA decision tool

HRA defining research table