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

3.2.4 - Safeguarding and gambling harm

In any research project involving human participants, the dignity, rights, safety, and wellbeing of the participants must be the primary consideration. If at any point concerns are being raised (by anyone involved in the research project) that the research may place the human participants at risk or harm, the research must be paused. The relevant Gambling Commission Research Manager, a representative from the Senior Management Team and the Research Governance Manager will review the research activity to determine if it can proceed (with modifications if required).

There is a likelihood in all gambling research projects, that some participants may be affected by gambling harm. Therefore, all research participants in gambling research should be provided with information about relevant gambling support services if deemed appropriate. If, during the research process, any participants (especially children, young people and vulnerable persons) disclose that they are being harmed in some form (not caused by the research itself), the external research team should provide information and signposts for the most appropriate support service or helpline depending on the situation in a timely manner. They should also inform the Gambling Commission Research Manager if possible. The response may be escalated if the situation requires it.

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Last updated: 30 April 2026

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