Research application and approval process
Disability Services Queensland recognises the role of research in assisting the department to realise its vision of a society that values people with a disability.
DSQ is also committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality and personal safety of people with a disability who choose to be involved in research activities and has developed a policy (and supporting procedures) to guide the consideration of applications to conduct research.
The policy applies to research undertaken:
- with DSQ employees, clients of DSQ operated services, and any DSQ-provided data, including de-identified data
- by researchers external to DSQ, students and DSQ employees where research is not part of their normal duties.
The policy does not apply to:
- consultants (for whom other arrangements are made)
- DSQ staff whose normal duties include research.
The policy provides for a structured, time-limited approval process and for specific roles within DSQ for the approval and co-ordination of research applications and activities.
Research applications
The first point of contact for research applicants is the Research Contact Officer who will arrange an initial meeting with a delegated officer to discuss a research idea prior to application.
A research application requires the researcher to do the following:
- complete Application to Conduct Research in Disability Services Queensland form
- complete Acknowledgment of Obligations form contained within Terms and Conditions Governing the Conduct of Research in Disability Services Queensland
- attach all relevant documentation (including an Ethics Clearance, Criminal History Clearance, a Literature Review, copies of all research instruments and documents for obtaining informed consent).
All research proposals must conform to privacy provisions under the Queensland Government Information Standard 42 - Information Privacy Guidelines, the Privacy Act 1988, the National Privacy Principles and the ethical standards outlined in the National Statement on Ethical Research in Research involving Humans, June 1999, section 1.
Approval process
Research applications are considered by the Assistant Director-General responsible for the relevant area within the Department. The policy also requires that the Assistant Director-General consider research materials prior to publication and provides for action where there is a breach of the Terms and Conditions. Researcher obligations are outlined in detail in the Terms and Conditions Governing the Conduct of Research in Disability Services Queensland.
Researchers wishing to consider an application can download the forms by following the links below and/or can arrange to discuss a research idea with a delegated officer by contacting the Research Contact Officer on (07) 3247 3739.
Downloads
| Online version | Word/other formats | |
|---|---|---|
| Application to conduct research in Disability Services Queensland | PDF (28 KB) | Word (126 KB) |
| Terms and conditions governing the conduct of research in Disability Services Queensland | PDF (61 KB) | Word (90 KB) |
To obtain hard copies of these publications, or copies in alternative formats, contact the Disability Information Service: phone 1800 177 120, TTY 1800 010 222 or email disabilityinfo@disability.qld.gov.au.
Last updated November 2007