We work to ensure our policies, programs and services are informed by rigorous and robust evidence. We therefore support research that strengthens evidence-based decision-making and contributes to effective policy and practice.
Our participation in commissioned and collaborative research is designed to ensure that:
Support may be provided to research projects through in-kind assistance such as providing access to data, clients and staff.
The Department of Youth Justice values quality research. We work hard to ensure our policies, programs and services are informed by rigorous and robust evidence. In fact, stronger use of evidence to support our work is one of the department’s commitments in the Strategic Plan 2018-2022.
The department’s research agenda research agenda aims to encourage the delivery of research projects and outputs that we can use to plan and deliver better services to children, young people and families in Queensland.
The department has identified six priority areas of inquiry that will optimise service outcomes and facilitate the achievement of the Queensland Government Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities plan.
These are as follows:
It is important that research with the department and its clients:
For these reasons, researchers need to apply to conduct research with the department or service centres, or to access departmental data. Final approval of all projects is at the discretion of the Director-General.
Any research request that involves staff or our clients must first be approved by the Director-General. You should not go directly to service centres or youth detention centres for research approval. Applications for research projects are assessed by a research panel and final approval of all projects is at the discretion of the Director-General.
Research proposals are assessed on, but not restricted to, the following key attributes:
All research must conform to privacy provisions under the Information Privacy Act (Qld) 2009, the Privacy Act (Cth) 1988, and the ethical standards outlined in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2015. We must assess all research proposing the involvement of clients of Youth Justice services to ensure compliance with research provisions under the Youth Justice Act (1992).
Please note: The panel is not an ethics committee and approval from a registered Human Research Ethics Committee is a requirement of any approval.
We encourage you to discuss and resolve any potentially contentious issues or unforeseen problems with the panel as early as possible.
Research applications may be submitted at any time throughout the calendar year. The date of submission will determine the round in which they will be assessed.
Round | Submission period | Review period | Announcement of Director-General approved proposals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | January | February to April | May |
2 | May | June to August | September |
3 | September | October to December | January |
Submissions are appraised using the following key criteria:
Researchers who complete and submit a research application will be required to agree to, and will be bound by, the department’s Research partnership agreement Research partnership agreement . You should also refer to the Research policy and procedure Research policy and procedure document.
Conducting high-quality research is important, but it’s also important to make that research accessible, relevant and usable.
The department’s research agenda seeks to increase focus and effort on identifying expected outcomes and impacts and planning for translation and implementation of research findings.
Research translation is about bridging the gap between knowledge and action. Implementation science is about how we use evidence, as well as evidence-based practices and programs, in everyday policy, program and practice environments to maximise positive outcomes for our clients.
Translation and implementation planning aims to support researchers and our staff to ensure that:
Translation and implementation plans can be detailed and updated over the life of the project and also recorded at a high-level in the research application form. The Translation and implementation planning guide Translation and implementation planning guide can be used to complete the translation and implementation plan translation and implementation plan . Projects with a high level of investment and significant expected impacts require more detailed translation and implementation planning which will be informed by a facilitated translation and implementation planning workshop.
Is there an appeal process if my application is denied?
The department is very interested in working with researchers, but unfortunately do not have capacity to support all proposed research applications. If you wish to resubmit an application please do so completing another research application form . The date of submission will determine the round in which your application will be assessed.
Is ethics approval required prior to submitting an application to the department?
You do not require ethics approval prior to submitting your application to the department. However, before finalising research approvals, the department requires that a research proposal has relevant Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval, unless the data being used is publicly available. The department will also need to ensure the research meets Queensland legislative requirements related to privacy and confidentiality as outlined in the Youth Justice Act 1992 and the Right to Information Act 2009. The department does not provide Support in Principle letters prior to Director-General approval.
For further information:
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