What We Do
Research Applications
Please scroll down for answers to your questions.
Who needs to seek approval?
Approval must be sought for all Branch and National research activities. This includes, but is not limited to, internal evaluation or research projects; research projects conducted by undergraduate or post-graduate students; research involving AASW members; and, research undertaken by AASW in collaboration with external agencies or research institutions.
With regards to internal quality assurance projects, the Research Committee provides a consultation role in reviewing the integrity of projects.
Speak to the National Research Committee Convenor, Fotina Hardy, email fhardy@bigpond.net.au
What do I need to submit?
Prospective Researchers are required to download the Research Application documentation, available from the AASW website, which details the AASW’s requirements for research proposals. Requests for further information can be sought directly from the Research Committee Secretariat.
All completed applications for research approval are to be submitted to the AASW Research Committee through the secretariat based at the National Office. The application will then be referred to the Research Committee who will require a minimum of four weeks to respond.
All Research applications must include the following, as specified in the Research Application Form:
- A clear outline of the purpose of the research, the research methodology and the proposed role of the AASW;
- Consent process and forms including participant information sheets and consent forms, where applicable, for the project;
- Exemplars of the types of questions that may be posed in data collection and any finalised questionnaires, interview schedules or tests that will be used in the conduct of the research;
- A copy of an ethics approval, or application for approval from affiliated research institution, government department; and,
- A brief CV of the principal investigator or student supervisor.
The research application form can be found here.
Checklist for research applications
- Cover letter
- Completed AASW Research Application Form
- Copy of research proposal
- Copy of final approval letter from Ethics committee
- Copy of Participant recruitment flyer
- Copy of Participant Information Sheet/s
- Copy of Consent form/s
- Copies of questionnaires, interview schedules or tests to be used
- Brief 2 page CVs for principal researcher, or student supervisor, research team members
Criteria for AASW decision making about research support
Approval will be based on the project’s purposefulness, ethical integrity, quality of the research design, the track record of the researchers and organisational considerations.
Specifically, projects will be reviewed against the following criteria in order for approval to be given:
- consistent with the AASW strategic plan, principles and missions;
- demonstrate a value to the AASW and/or the Social Work field;
- have Ethics approval;
- meet acceptable standards of research design;
- demonstrate the capacity to undertake and complete the project; and
- can be supported within the resources and activities of the AASW at the time of application.
AASW expectations about reporting of progress and completion of projects within which it is engaged
The AASW Research Committee has an overall monitoring, quality assurance and coordinating function in relation to all research projects carried out within the AASW. To this end, the following are required of prospective Researchers:
- Progress reports be provided to the AASW Research Committee at set intervals (as per the proforma available in the Research Guidelines);
- The prospective Researcher advises the AASW Research Committee immediately of any changes which might affect AASW approval of the research project, including changes in research design or methodology or any adverse physical or psychological effects on participants;
- Advice to the Research Committee if a project is to be discontinued; and,
- Provision of a final report to AASW Research Committee at the conclusion of the project.
The Progress Report template can be found here.
The role of the Research Committee
The role of the AASW Research Committee is to provide leadership, coordination and strategic focus in research that promotes the mission of the Association. The Research Committee has identified three key areas of focus to achieve this:
- Regulation: Developing, maintaining and reviewing policies and procedures that enable ethical and robust research.
- Consultation/Coordination: Providing consultation to individuals, branches and committees and the coordination of research initiatives involving the AASW.
- Promotion of culture of research: Building linkages and networks in research, positioning the AASW as an important stakeholder in research and contributing to the development of the evidence base for social work practice and policy.