What is the difference between audit and research?

Simply put

• Research seeks to create the knowledge used to develop standards of care

  • What is the right thing to do?

• Audit helps ensure set standards of care are being met

  • Are we doing the right thing?

More details if you are asked to elaborate:

• Research

  • Based on a hypothesis

  • Generalisable results (usually, depending on external validity)

  • Usually requires ethical approval

• Audit

  • Based on set standards

  • Local results (usually)

  • Rarely requires ethical approval