Resources for Designing Research (OHMR)
Research engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Quick Guide on Undertaking Appropriate Aboriginal Health Research
This quick guide provides advice for health professionals and researchers undertaking research in NSW Health facilities with a focus on Aboriginal1 people, including where Aboriginal people are considered as part of a broader study population. The purpose of the guide is to increase awareness of the appropriate principles, approaches and processes required to ensure that research projects are ethical and beneficial for Aboriginal people and communities. This includes supporting researchers to consider when and how to seek ethical approval for research conducted with Aboriginal people or communities.
Conducting Translational Research with Aboriginal Communities on People
This document has been developed for health professionals who wish to apply for NSW Health mainstream research grants, such as the Translational Research Grants Scheme (TRGS) and Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program grants.
This document includes useful recommendations for strengthening translational research projects that have an identified focus on Aboriginal health. The document will benefit those who have had limited or no prior experience in conducting research in a way that is appropriate and beneficial for Aboriginal people. It will also be of use for more experienced researchers as a reminder of values and processes to uphold when conducting research. The document addresses research projects that:
* are focused entirely on Aboriginal people
* have a broader population focus which includes Aboriginal people, or
* are based in a region where there is a large Aboriginal population.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
NSW Aboriginal Health Impact Statement
NSW Health is committed to Closing the Gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Health Impact Statement forms part of a broader set of strategies to achieve this. A culturally respectful and responsive health system is essential to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and every employee of the NSW Health system has a valuable role to play.
The purpose of the Aboriginal Health Impact Statement is to support NSW Health organisations and staff to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal people by systematically applying an ‘Aboriginal health lens’ to all policies, programs and strategies.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Program Logic
Developing and Using Program Logic: A Guide
A program logic model is a schematic representation that describes how a program is intended to work by linking activities with outputs, intermediate impacts and longer term outcomes. Program logic aims to show the intended causal links for a program.
This guide has been developed to support NSW Health staff in the development of program logic and its use in informing population health program planning, implementation and evaluation. This guide promotes a planned and structured approach to developing program logic and includes information on:
* the meaning and purpose of program logic
* when and how to develop program logic
* how program logic can be used, with a particular focus on planning an evaluation.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Increasing the Scale of Population Health Interventions
To achieve population-wide health improvements, population health interventions found to be effective in a research setting need to be implemented as widely as possible. This involves a change of scale or a scaling up of the intervention. Scaling up such interventions is necessary to ensure the target population has access to the most effective services and programs available, however not all interventions shown to be effective in a research setting are suitable for scaling up.
The scalability of an intervention is not only determined by its effectiveness but other key issues such as the likely reach and adoption of the intervention, the costs of operating at scale, and the acceptability and fit of the intervention with the local context. It is important that attention is paid to the scalability of an intervention, so resources are allocated to interventions that are more likely to be successfully scaled up, and therefore more likely to have an impact on the health of the population as a whole.
This guide seeks to address these issues by describing a step-by-step process that includes both an assessment of the scalability of an intervention and a description of how to proceed with scaling up in order to have the greatest chance of success.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Translational Research
An Introduction to Translational Research
Translational research builds understanding about whether and how innovations can work in the real world and on a large scale. It aims to accelerate how quickly health and medical research findings can improve the healthcare system, patient outcomes and population health.
This resource has been designed to introduce health professionals, including clinicians, practitioners, managers and policy makers, to translational research.
It will help you understand:
* The NSW Health view of translational research
* The unique contribution translational research can make to improving health
* The different types of translational research and the translational research continuum
* Where a research project might fit on the translational research continuum
* How to turn an interesting idea into a translational research project
* How NSW Health promotes, funds and prioritises translational research
* When and where to seek further information or advice
* The key considerations when designing your translational research project – tailored for each phase along the translational research continuum
This resource is introductory and will help you think critically about the things you’ll need to consider and suggests where you can get additional support.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Translational Research Framework
This guide has been developed for health professionals applying for the Translational Research Grants Scheme (TRGS) who may have limited research experience, but may also be useful for more experienced researchers as a structured reminder of the range of issues that will be taken into account in the screening and assessment of proposals. The guide will assist you in refining research questions, and identifying feasible research methods to answer these questions. An application is more likely to be successful if the expected outcomes are clearly defined, those outcomes are being measured accurately and the research design fits the research questions.
This guide provides a number of prompts to help identify the steps you need to take to:
* demonstrate that a health service, program or policy innovation works
* understand the conditions under which it was successful (or unsuccessful)
* where appropriate, identify how to scale up an innovation for greatest impact.
This guide can be used as a tool to help you critically think about where projects may fit on the translational research continuum, and with this in mind, how best to refine your research question and methods.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Translational Research Framework: Source Book
This Source Book is a companion to the Translational Research Framework. It provides some additional information that might be useful when planning your research.
This Source Book includes:
* more information about types of research design, and control groups
* a tool to help you start thinking about the kinds of research designs that might work for your project
* a brief summary of ethical considerations, with a link to the NHMRC national guidelines that are worth reviewing when you are preparing your applications
* a summary of methods for measuring and assessing costs and conducting economic analysis
* a glossary of terms used in both the framework and this source book
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/
Program Evaluation
Commission Evaluation Services: A Guide
Evaluations are commonly undertaken to measure the impacts and outcomes of a program, and to reflect on its processes. Evaluation can be defined as a rigorous, systematic and objective process to assess a program’s effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness, and sustainability. This guide has been developed to support NSW Health staff in the commissioning of population health program evaluations.
This guide to commissioning evaluation services complements the NSW Government Program Evaluation Guidelines and Toolkit. It promotes a proactive, planned and structured approach to commissioning evaluations, including information on when and how to commission an evaluation and how to make the most of the results.
The guide is framed specifically in relation to the health context, and it focuses on commissioning an external evaluator. The guide may be used to assist NSW Health staff in developing a complete evaluation plan, or in drafting an evaluation plan to which a contracted evaluator can add value.
To access this resource click here: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/designing-research-study/