Standards

Research governance framework 

The Gambling Commission's Research Governance Framework.

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Published
30 April 2026

Last updated
30 April 2026 - Changes

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Contents

• Research governance framework 

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• Introduction
• • Research at the Gambling Commission
  • The Research Governance Framework
  • Developing and updating the research governance framework
• Ethical gambling research
• • Introduction to ethical gambling research
  • Core research principles and guidelines for ethical gambling research
  • Research involving AI
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Research misconduct
• Ethical approval for gambling research with human participants
• • Which projects require ethical approval
  • General considerations for ethical approval in gambling research
  • The ethical approval process
• The peer review process
• Roles and responsibilities
• Other external research involvement
• Research data governance
• • General principles of research data governance and research data safeguarding
  • What documents are required?
  • Data sharing
• Dissemination of research
• Monitoring, review and data corrections
• Appendices
• • Appendix 1: Ethics Checklist for projects requiring full Ethical Approval
  • Appendix 2: Data management plan checklist checklist
  • Appendix 3: Peer review checklist
  • Appendix 4: Research misconduct

3.2.1 - Informed consent

Researchers involved in one of our research projects will take appropriate steps to satisfy themselves that participants have exercised informed consent when deciding to take part in gambling research. Participants will be provided with the information they need to make an informed decision about taking part. This should include, but is not limited to:

• the aims and purpose of the research
• what they are being asked to do
• the benefits and drawbacks of participation
• their right to withdraw for any or no reason
• relevant contact details of the Research Manager
• how the researchers will use, store and retain their data (including additional data formats such as videos).

This information must be provided in a way that is appropriate for the participant, particularly when carrying out research with children or vulnerable groups.

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Last updated: 30 April 2026

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