Useful resources
This page details resources such as internal and external training and contacts.
Resources
Internal
The University has several sources of guidance and information
- Research involving humans - guidance on ethical review and approval of research involving human participants, their data or samples.
- Ethical issues in research involving humans - guidance on a variety of topics, including consent, tissue, secondary data, data protection and confidentiality
- See also 'contacts' below
External
The HRA is one of the main sources of information for research involving health or social care in the UK:
- Student research toolkit - a decision making tool for students considering research involving the NHS
- Proportionate review toolkit - a decision making tool to help you determine if your study qualifies for proportionate REC review
- 'Make it public' - information from the HRA on ensuring transparency and openness in research
Training
Internal
CEED and OSDS
CEED and OSDS offer, through PDMS, several training courses that may be of benefit to researchers in planning and organising an NHS-related project. The courses being offered can vary over time but here are some examples of topics to look out for:
- Document management training- useful for dealing with lengthy protocol documents
- Open access and impact training - useful for planning ahead, so you can ensure your study design is future-proof
- Project or budget management - useful for managing and delivering your study
- Data management and data protection - useful for planning how you will manage your research data and ensure you understand and meet data protection requirements
Other internal training
- Ethical application and review at the University of St Andrews - online Moodle module on the University's own ethical application and review process.
- Data protection - all staff should complete this training and others may find this useful to understand data protection regulations.
External
In-person
- TASC training - offer a variety of training courses relating to clinical research
- Clinical Research Training Scotland (CRTS) - offer a variety of training courses relating to clinical research
- The NHS Research Scotland conference- an annual conference showcasing NHS-related research in Scotland
Online
- IRAS online module - how to use IRAS
- NIHR online portal - includes Good Clinical Practice training, you will need to register
- MRC e-learning - includes Good Clinical Practice training plus information governance training, often required to access data via eDRIS and other sources)
Contacts
Internal
- Insurance - for queries relating to insurance. See also the Insurance Moodle page.
Email: insurance@st-andrews.ac.uk - RBDC - for agreements between the University and external organisations
Email: rbdc@st-andrews.ac.uk - Data Protection - for queries relating to data protection, GDPR and use of personal data. Also Data Protection Impact Assessments.
Email: dataprot@st-andrews.ac.uk - Research Data Management - for advice on planning how you will manage your research data.
Email: research-data@st-andrews.ac.uk - Human Resources - PVG guidance page - for occupational health assessments and staff PVG applications
- Health and Safety - for risk assessments. Contact your School Health and Safety Officer in the first instance. If you are unsure who that is, contact your School office or the central health and safety office.
- Global Office - for travel and fieldwork guidance, recording and risk assessments.
Email: travel.enquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk - ASC - for student PVG applications.
Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk
External
NHS Research and Development
- NHS Fife R&D
Email: fife.fiferesearchapprovals@nhs.scot - NHS Tayside R&D
Email: tay.tasc@nhs.scot - NHS Lothian R&D (ACCORD)
Email: ACCORD@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk - NHS Research Scotland Regional Nodes (Scotland) and RD Forum contacts directory (rest of the UK)