Performing Research
Performing Research
In general, research involves formulating an hypothesis and devising a demonstrable reproducible method of testing that hypothesis. There are many types of research, which may be observational or interventional, prospective or retrospective, qualitative or quantitative. The statistical methods chosen are important and advice should be sought.
To human research is added the necessity to ensure that research is conducted ethically and in most cases approval by an ethic committee is required. Research grants may help ameliorate the costs and publication in suitable journal will communicate your findings. Much of the paperwork involved in these processes may be unfamiliar to a primary care clinician and the SCCANZ Research Committee can advise you.
In skin cancer medicine the range of possible topics is wide, ranging from descriptive studies of dermoscopy to interventional studies of various cancer treatments and outcomes to qualitative studies of patient satisfaction with outcomes.
Research - Links
Research Guidelines & Ethics
Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2007)
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/r39syn.htm
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm
National Ethics Application Form
https://www.neaf.gov.au/Default.aspx
RACGP National Research Evaluation and Ethics Committee
Research Methodology - Developing an hypothesis and testing it
BMC Medical Methodology - Archive 2001-2009
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/tocrender.fcgi?journal=43&action=archive
Statistical Tools
On-line Statistical Tools
Skin Cancer & Related Research Organisations - Australia
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
http://www.acrf.com.au/index.html
QIMR - Melanoma & Skin Cancer
http://www.qimr.edu.au/research/topics/melanoma.html
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research Institute (MASCRI)
http://www.biotechnology.nsw.gov.au/sectors.aspx?sectorid=10&companyid=927
North Queensland Centre for Cancer Research
http://www.jcu.edu.au/fmhms/research/aitm/JCUDEV_018654.html
http://www.qldcancer.com.au/nqccr/skincancer_research.html
Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control (VCRCC)
http://www.cancerqld.org.au/research/vcrcc/skin_cancer.asp
Diamantina Institute
Skin Cancer Foundation Australia (SCFA)
http://www.scfa.edu.au/research_projects.html
The Melanoma Network
http://www.melanomanetwork.org.au/
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia
http://www.cosa.org.au/Home.htm
Australia and New Zealand Trials Group