Research design and planning

These tools and resources can help you design and plan your research project.

Getting consent

You can use the following consent form examples to get consent from people taking part in your study. The Human Research Ethics Committee and Research Governance Officer must check your consent forms before you use them.

Data access and management

When you’re planning a project, you need to think about:

  • data collection methods
  • types of data
  • data linkage
  • sources of data.

Data management in your project must follow the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025). Read Chapter 3.1, Element 4: Collection, Use and Management of Data and Information.

Good data management protects you, our HHS and the people who take part in research. Plan early on:

  • who will have access to the data
  • where the data will be stored
  • how the data will be destroyed, and when.

Learn more about writing a data management plan from the Australian Research Data Commons website.

Data sources

You can access data for your research project from the following sources.

Data collection

We use REDCap to capture research and clinical data to support research studies. Queensland Health staff can use it to build and maintain online surveys and databases. We recommend this system for discrete data collection projects such as research, quality activities and audits.

For details on database use, roles and responsibilities, read the REDCap database governance procedure [PDF] (staff only).

Access to REDCap

You can request access by filling in the REDCap Statewide access form (staff only).

Create a REDCap Project

To start a project in REDCap, fill in the TCHHS project request form. Our REDCap administrator will review requests to approve.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The following resources can help you plan a project that involves First Nations people.

Research grants

You can get funding for your research project from state and national organisations.

Exclusive grants

The following Queensland organisations have exclusive funding rounds. They have specific criteria your research project must meet.

Queensland Health staff can apply at any time for the Study and Research Assistance Scheme (SARAS).

Open grants

These national funding organisations offer opportunities that aren’t restricted to Queensland Health staff.

The Australian Government's website for federal grants and funding programs is GrantConnect.

Education and training

Researchers can take part in these training and education programs to help carry out research projects in our region.

Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC)

The Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre partners with us and other health providers in northern Queensland to help researchers.

Researchers and our staff can use the following free TAAHC research support services:

  • study design, epidemiology and biostatistics support
  • coaching and research mentoring
  • webinar series.

Library services

Researchers and our staff can use the Cairns Hospital Library and Knowledge Centre (LKC) to search literature and get research and study support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice Program

We run the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice Program for researchers who plan to visit a local site.

To join the program, email the Executive Director of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health on tchhs-edatsih@health.qld.gov.au.

Clinical trials

Researchers must comply with the Australian Government’s Good Clinical Practice Guideline when running clinical trials.

You can refer to these training resources on how to conduct clinical trials.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

You also need to have GCP certification before starting your clinical trial projects. We recommend the following education providers.

Research ethics and governance

Research Capacity Building Training Programme (staff only)

The program teaches research design and compliance and can help you understand research approval and authorisation processes.

Health Translation Queensland education resources

Watch recordings of talks and events on research, ethics, research integrity and governance.

Publishing and disseminating research

Sharing your project findings helps us improve service delivery and health outcomes.

We must make sure publications and presentations are shared responsibly, ethically, and accurately. For guidance, refer to our research publications and authorship procedure (PDF) [PDF 427.17 KB].

Translating research into practice is key for your research findings to become part of patient care and clinical practice.

Learn more about translating research into practice on the Queensland Health website.

Watch the Knowledge Translation: Applying the Knowledge to Action Framework video on YouTube.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service affiliation

Use the following text to attribute your Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service affiliation when publishing your research.

[Department/Unit], [Facility], Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

For example:

Public Health, Thursday Island Hospital, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

Publication support

For help with publishing, you can read the Research in healthcare guide: Disseminate from the CHHHS Library & Knowledge Centre.

You can also visit research support from the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre.

Last updated: May 2025

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