Research Library
Explore our new one‑stop hub for local research and evidence. Access findings from HDRC Surrey's projects, local studies, evidence reviews, and previous reports, all in one convenient place. Designed to support our partners and stakeholders, the library provides the insights you need to drive meaningful change across Surrey.
If you have any local research that you would like to share via our library, please contact [email protected].
Research
What is research?
HDRC Surrey defines research as any activity which employs systematic, reproducible methods to collect and use data related to Surrey's residents and/or other participants, that in turn will produce new information or knowledge, or provide a new interpretation of existing data. This new information is then utilised to support decision-making about practices, policies and interventions and/or to increase understanding of how people are impacted by the conditions in which they live.
Here's how local authority staff describe research:
“Understanding how we can improve the way we work by looking at what is available that we do not already use.”
— Local authority staff
“Looking at different reasons for why data presents in a certain way, e.g. what might be causing patterns and differences between groups of people.”
— Local authority staff
Research Ethics
What is research ethics?
Research ethics refers to the principles and framework that guide responsible research practices. It ensures that research is conducted ethically, with fairness, honesty, and accountability, while protecting the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants and communities.
1
Fully informed consent
Participation based on valid informed consent (i.e. is the project asking participants to express their consent to participation and recording the answer?)
2
Enabling participation
Enabling participation (i.e. is the project taking measures to avoid the systematic exclusion of particular groups in society from participating?)
3
Avoiding harm
Avoidance of personal and social harm (i.e. is the project taking reasonable measures to ensure it is unlikely to cause a participant to suffer, in their body, mind, economically or socially?)
4
Non-disclosure
Non-disclosure of identity and personal information (i.e. is the project team planning measures to ensure that the data of the people who have given their time or views are held safely, and that nobody learns about their participation if they don't have a right to do so? Is the project GDPR compliant? Has it received approval from Information Governance?)
5
Ethical application
Ethical application and conduct (i.e. is the planned approach creating inequality, involuntarily discrimination or vausing breakdown in trust relationships with partners? Will findings be fed back to the community and any other stakeholders in a transparent way? Are participants informed of complaint procedures?
The following principles guide research ethics. They ensure that every research activity is carried out in a way that is ethical, responsible, and respectful of the rights and well-being of participants and communities:
- Fully informed consent: participation based on valid consent.
- Enabling participation: no systematic exclusion of particular groups.
- Avoiding harm: no personal/economic or social harm.
- Non-disclosure: protection of identity and personal information.
- Ethical application: avoid creating inequality/involuntary discrimination.
Head over to our training and resources page for templates and toolkits to support you with research and research ethics.
