1. Characteristics of research

2. Designed to derive generalisable new knowledge

3. Designed to test a hypothesis

4. Addresses clearly defined questions, aims and objectives

5. Study design may involve allocating patients to intervention groups

6. Normally requires Research Ethics Committee review

7. Characteristics of clinical audit

8. Designed and conducted to produce information to inform delivery of best care

9. Designed to answer: ‘Does this service reach a predetermined standard

10. Measures against a standard

11. No allocation to intervention

12. Does not typically require Research Ethics Committee review

13. Characteristics of service evaluation

14. Designed and conducted solely to define or judge current care

15. Designed to answer ‘What standard does this service achieve’?

16. Measures without reference to a standard

17. No allocation to intervention

18. Does not require Research Ethics Committee review