Research
What is Human Research?
Human Research is conducted with or about people, or their data or tissue. Human participation in research is therefore to be understood broadly, to include the involvement of human beings through:
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taking part in surveys, interview or focus groups;
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undergoing psychological, physiological or medical testing or treatment;
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being observed by researchers;
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researchers having access to their personal documents or other materials;
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the collection and use of their body organs, tissues or fluids (e.g. skin, blood, urine, saliva, hair, bones, tumour and other biopsy specimens) or their exhaled breath;
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access to their information (in individually identifiable, re-identifiable or non-identifiable form) as part of an existing published or unpublished source or database.
In addition, the conduct of human research often has impact on the lives of others who are not participants. When this impact is reasonably foreseeable, it may raise ethical questions for researchers and for those ethically reviewing research.
Health Research and Ethics Research Grants
Promoting the generation and effective use of population health research in NSW: A Strategy for NSW Health 2011-2015
The Population Health Division of the NSW Department of Health has developed a 5-year
Strategy which outlines a comprehensive framework and key strategies and actions that will underpin a culture within NSW Health that values and uses research evidence. The Strategy: Promoting the generation and effective use of population health research in NSW: A Strategy for NSW Health 2011-2015 focuses on how the Population Health Division will more efficiently and collaboratively use funds currently devoted to supporting research.
This Strategy identifies three main areas of work for the Population Health Division to support population health research in NSW Health, i.e. the generation of relevant research, maximising the use of research evidence and building research capability. Central to the Strategy are the important premises of focusing expenditure and effort on identified research priorities, improving communication between stakeholders and developing productive partnerships for population health research.
Implementation has already begun on several actions within the document including: identification and communication of population health research priorities for NSW Health, development of the Population Health Research Fellowship Program, development of a training module on using research evidence in policy and practice for NSW Health staff, and a range of communication strategies. In implementing this Strategy, the Population Health Division will work in collaboration with other funders, researchers, research-users and those likely to be affected by research. Regular updates on progress will be provided to key stakeholders, as outlined in the evaluation and reporting section of the document.
The latest edition of the NSW Public Health Bulletin has a focus on Policy-relevant Population Health Research and includes an article describing the development of the Strategy. The edition can be found on-line at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/227/issue/5786.htm.
If you would like any further information about the Strategy, please contact:
Dr Jo Mitchell
Associate Director
Research, Ethics and Public Health Training Branch
NSW Health
Ph: 9391 9292
Email: jmitc@doh.health.nsw.gov.au