======= Date Modified 16 Sep 2011 16:44:30 =======

I'm running a short interview based study (as I only need a small part of it approved by REC) and I was wondering how long the research protocol should be? I have already written a very detailed research protocol (around 8,000 words) but obviously this wouldn't be suitable for the application. How long are your research protocols?

Caterpillar - how was the meeting with the Social Care REC? That was the REC I was going to apply to. PhDViva - re protocol - a friend of mine showed me her protocol for the REC and it was about 9 pages (3500 words). She said not to put in something too lengthy as it would annoy them having to wade through big documents.

PhDviva - Hi, my protocol is 6,500 words - I'm not sure what the REC thought of it.

Socpol - The meeting was about 20 minutes long. There were about 8 committee members present and they were very friendly. They asked me lots of questions about the study as a whole and then about specific issues, such as the Mental Capacity Act and how I would assess capacity, data storage, consultee issues and more. They appeared to want to satisfy themselves that I had thought through the issues and that I was capable of ethical conduct.

I am yet to hear from them, so fingers crossed  ;-) I did find them to be human though!!!