Implementing a research governance framework for clinical and public health research

• Research conduct in Australia and worldwide is mostly unaudited. • The purpose of good research governance is to ensure integrity in research through accountability, transparency and responsibility. • Institutional responsibility for research governance has been adopted by Monash University's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, providing clear lines of accountability for researchers as well as support and guidance. • A research audit tool has been developed, identifying areas where practice could be improved especially among less experienced researchers; the most common adverse findings concerned research protocols and procedure manuals. • The need for participant confidentiality, privacy and data security was found to be understood, and adhered to widely by all researchers. • An evaluation of the effect of audit on researchers found that the process was well accepted.