RCS researchers
The RCS Research Group can assist in finding relevant funding sources for research; library services; research partnerships; scholarships; managing research grants; infrastructure to store and manage research data; specialised equipment for research; information technology and software services; high performance computing; protecting intellectual property; marketing and commercialisation services and publishing and sharing of research findings.
Planning for research
Research idea
If you have an idea and you wish to check its viability as a project, there are a number of things you can do:
- Talk to your colleagues in your own department or unit and explore the idea further. You often need the support of your colleagues and line manager/director to complete a research project
- If you are affiliated with RCS, share your idea with the RCS Research Team
- Attend one of the monthly Research Clinic meetings hosted on Wednesdays (5-6pm) via zoom todiscuss potential next steps. If you would like to be invited to these meetings, email the RCS Research Team
- Subscribe to the monthly research newsletter (from UQRCS) by sending a request to RCS Research Team
- If your idea has a commercial potential or if you want to work with governmental datasets, please discuss your idea (in confidence) with the Head of Research, RCS
Research timelines
Research activity | Average time |
|---|---|
Developing a protocol | |
Develop a study protocol for a clinical audit for low and negligible risk (LNR) type study | 40+ hours |
Develop a study protocol for a clinical trial including detailed literature review, study design, statistical analyses | 200+ hours |
Applying for grants | |
Prepare a competitive application seeking funds for medical research to the NHMRC or other relevant funding bodies | 3-6 months |
Announcement of the funding results by the NHMRC after submission of your application | 4-6 months |
Ethics Applications and Reports | |
Complete ethics submission for low and negligible risk study using ERM or HREA system. | 2+ hours |
Complete ethics submission for interventional studies including clinical trials using ERM or HREA system. | 5+ hours |
Develop participant information and consent forms | 2-4 hours |
Turnaround time for LNR studies after submission to ethics committees | 60+ days |
Turnaround time for interventional studies after submission to ethics committees. (60 days minimum and plan for another 60 days if significant revisions are requested by the ethics committee) | 120+ days |
Complete the Annual/progress report to ethics committee (LNR) | 1-2 hours |
Complete the Final report to ethics committee (LNR) | 2 hours |
Site specific Approval | |
Complete Site-Specific Approval submission for research at a HHS site | 5+ hours |
Average turnaround time for Site Specific Approval after ethics clearance (LNR) | 2-4 weeks |
Turnaround time for Site Specific Approval after ethics clearance (multi-site studies) | 4-6 months depending on the number of sites |
Clinical Trials Preparation | |
Setup a web-based electronic case-report forms for clinical trials (that conforms to FDA regulations) | 2-3 months |
Register a clinical trial protocol with a registry such as clinicaltrials.gov | 1-2 hours |
Data collection, Collection Tools and Data Management | |
Audit a typical medical record at a hospital or GP setting | 30-45 minutes |
Develop a survey questionnaire with 20 questions and set it up in survey monkey | 4-8 hours |
Develop a data collection tool in a spreadsheet or database depending on the complexity | 2-4 hours |
Create a new record and data storage/collaborative space within UQRDM | 30 minutes |
Turnaround time for statistical analyses and reporting for a study | 4 weeks |
Collaborative and Student Agreements | |
Turnaround time for developing research collaboration agreements (RCA) (between UQ and any HHS in Qld) | 3-6 months |
Complete medical student IP agreement signed off by UQ (SIPCA) | 4 weeks |
Getting HDR students to complete IP deed poll (SIPC) | 1 week |
Staff Recruitment | |
Recruit and employ casual research staff at UQ | 2-4 weeks |
Recruit and employ contract research staff or an academic at UQ | 8-16 weeks |
Manuscript Preparation | |
Prepare an abstract (250 words) for presentation at a conference (if you have all the results readily available) | 1-2 hours |
Prepare a manuscript for submission to peer-reviewed journals | 1-3 months |
Time for journals to review and decide to publish your submitted manuscript (including revisions) | 3-12 months |
Complete Research | |
To complete a PhD | 3-4 years full time 6-7 years part time |
Usual time it takes from conceiving a clinical research idea to publishing the findings in a journal | 1-3 years |
*Average time for a researcher, depending on your research experience, this may take longer.
Research resources
Proposal guidelines (PDF, 217 kb) provide a series of questions to enable students, clinicians or researchers to consider aspects related to their research and includes advice on who to contact for help with particular aspects
The research proposal template (PDF, 157 kb) assists in determining the feasibility of rudimentary research ideas and provides a structured format in which to present your research idea. Once you have a short protocol for the project and support from your workplace, you may wish to discuss your ideas, research processes and timelines for the project more fully with an experienced researcher.
The 2023 research manual can be found here: Getting Started in Research RCS
Support from the Faculty of Medicine
UQRCS is one of the three main schools within the Medical School in the Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty can help with partnership agreements and research collaboration agreements; ethics guidelines; promotion of research expertise; biostatistical support; grant scheme assistance and support for student summer scholarships. Further information is available from the Research Strategy and Support Office.
Academic Title Holders
High quality education and research in medicine, biomedical sciences and public health would not be possible without the tireless work of our hospital and clinic-based health professionals. These health professionals may be registrars in teaching hospitals, eminent specialists in private practice, or experienced general practitioners who play a vital role in primary care.
They are vital in training the next generation of health professionals and to recognise the work of these hardworking health professionals, the Faculty awards individuals with academic titles.
New and existing applications for academic titles are welcomed. These titles are awarded for a period of up to five years to health professionals who make significant contributions to The University and are assessed by the relevant organisational unit Heads, Faculty executives and committees commensurate to the level of appointment.
It is recommended all applicants review the criteria for assistance template and eligibility guide, please refer to the ATH page for further information.
Projects involving hospitals
Employees of Queensland Government or local Hospital and Heath Service (HHS)
Please refer to the relevant HHS website (listed below) if you are employed by Queensland Government or one of the HHS.
The websites provide detailed information about funding opportunities, research ethics and governance requirements and information on intellectual property and commercialisation. Please seek assistance and support from the relevant members of the research support team within your employing organisation. Relevant contact details are below:
Darling Downs Hospital & Health Service
DDHHS Ethics and Governance Information
Email: DDHHS-Research@health.qld.gov.au
WBHHS
WBHHS Ethics and Governance information
Email: WBHHS-ETR-Research@health.qld.gov.au
CQHHS
CQHHS Ethics and Governance Information
Email: CQHHShrec@health.qld.gov.au
Employees of private hospital or doctors in primary care settings
If you are not employed by Queensland Government or one of the HHSs (such as GP registrars, GPs or Specialists in private practice) and are affiliated with the University of Queensland’s Rural Clinical School, please contact rcsrc@uq.edu.au.
Research consultancy
The Research Group at RCS has a broad skillset and extensive experience in developing research/project proposals. In addition, the team can undertake project planning and management, evaluation and review within the health industry covering both the public and private sectors. To discuss your requirements (in confidence), please contact the Head of Research.