Research governance and the art of defence

Since its introduction, the Research Governance Framework (Department of Health, 2001) has undoubtedly stimulated much dialogue within the medical literature (Caan, 2004, Elliot, 2004, Denholm, 2004). Whilst the goals of the Framework are to enhance research quality, much concern has been expressed about the extra delay and frustration experienced by researchers. For example, Jones and Bamford (2004) accuse the Framework of ‘freezing’ research activity whilst others suggest that it has stifled research (Smith, 2000) with implications for future innovation.