Overview
Download: Guidelines for research and evaluation in THS
Research is recognised as central to the achievement of the Department's goals. Staff in the Department conduct research in a range of capacities:
- as part of their standard work
- as staff on specifically identified research projects
- as students
In addition, people external to the Department are occasionally commissioned by the Department to undertake research projects, while other external researchers or students seek permission to conduct research using departmental data.
The main focus of research in the Department is on evaluation and applied research that explores effective and efficient approaches to promoting health. There is an inevitably blurred borderline between research and good work practices that incorporate quality assessment. Where the distinction is not clear, the Department encourages staff to consider their work as research in order to promote a rigorous approach.
Most internal departmental research can be found on these pages:
- Health Library Services
- Health Gains (Epidemiology)
- Centre for Disease Control
- Human Research Ethics Committees
- Centre for Remote Health
Collaborative Research
In recent years an increasing proportion of departmental research is conducted in collaboration with staff from other organisations.
The Department is one of six core partners that comprise the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health (CRCATH). Other partners are the Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Flinders University of South Australia, Danila Dilba Medical Services and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. Much of the departmental research effort involves work with one or more partners from this group.
In addition, the Department is increasingly committed to exploring opportunities to collaborate with other organisations at a national level.
Anyone wishing to discuss opportunities to conduct research with or in the Department is invited to contact the Research Coordinator on 08 8922 7736. The Guidelines for Research and Evaluation outline the process that must be followed to approve research in or with the Department. The departmental Research Coordinator can help identify the relevant people with whom contact should be made.
As the Research Guidelines state, all research must ensure that it remains within ethical guidelines. Research in the Top End of the NT is considered by the Top End Human Research Ethics Committee (TEHREC) and in Central Australia by the Central Australian Ethics Committee (CAHREC).
Statistical reports from the Epidemiology branch are available online. Statistics regarding service provision information can also be found through the Business Information Management Branch. Further information regarding statistics can be found at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
