Any research project using uncosented data needs a number of permissions and approvals before it can start.
Depending on your project, you may need the support of several different organisations so it is important that you determine which permission pathway you need to follow. This process is there to protect the public, their data, the organisations responsible for the data, and you as the researcher.
Below are the four main permission pathways with guidance on the criteria for each. Click on the pathway you need for more information about the permissions required.
Note, the project 'Sponsor' is the organisation with overall responsibility for your project. It is not your funder. If you are an employee of the University of Aberdeen, it is likely that your 'Sponsor' is the University's Research Governance office.