Support and development
The Research Support and Development Unit is dedicated to ensuring that CAHS leads in research excellence, fostering innovation, and translating discoveries into impactful outcomes.
In line with the CAHS vision, we cultivate compassionate research that centres on the community we serve. We nurture research excellence and foster curiosity among our health professionals in their daily work.
Our dedicated research support team guides CAHS researchers and partners on all aspects of the research process. This includes support with
- data analysis
- grant development and submissions
- protocol development
- research planning
- research training.
Request Research Support form
Researchers requiring support with prospective or active projects are asked to complete the Request research support form. This REDCap form assists us to determine how best we can help you. It also enables us to tailor our services and resources to meet the needs of our researchers.
CAHS researchers can access biostatistics support through the Research Department in partnership with the Biostatistics team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. This includes bookable consultation sessions and limited analysis support.
Services offered:
- Study design and analysis plan reviews.
- Assistance with result interpretation.
- Data processing, statistical modelling, and data presentation.
- Data management and capture plan reviews.
Support details:
- Up to 15 hours of biostatistics support.
- Early engagement with a biostatistician is encouraged for proper planning.
Eligibility and preparation
- Available to CAHS employees for up to 15 hours per project/clinical trial. Student projects are ineligible (students can access support from their university).
- Complete the Request research support form and select the 'Biostatistics' option.
- For support beyond the allocated time, contact CAHS.research@health.wa.gov.au to discuss options. Research teams are strongly encouraged to develop a scope of work (hours) and apply and allocate sufficient grant funding for biostatistical services.
- Come prepared with relevant papers, clear research objectives, and an understanding of study constraints.
Children and families play a vital role in CAHS research.
Embedding their voices and needs into every stage of the research process, ensures studies are relevant and impactful, leading to improved health outcomes for children and adolescents by focusing on real-world needs.
The opportunity to collaborate with researchers is empowering for consumers, enabling them to contribute to meaningful health research.
In line with the Consumer Engagement Strategy 2023-2026 and National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards, CAHS Research Department is committed to equipping researchers with the resources, and knowledge and skills development needed for effective consumer engagement in research.
It supports CAHS researchers through 2 initiatives:
- Research Capability Development:
- Training in consumer and community involvement scholarship program.
- Twice yearly call.
- Consumer Capacity Building: Seed funding for consumer engagement in research ideation, co-design and grant proposals.
Seed funding for consumer engagement
Researchers can apply to a consumer engagement ‘bank’ that will fund them to engage consumers in their research projects.
Researchers must repay the bank if they are successful in securing a grant for their project.
Consumer bank support details:
- Up to 15 hours of consumer engagement support
- Available to CAHS employees for up to 15 hours per project/clinical trial. Student projects are ineligible (students can access support from their university).
- Complete the Request research support form, selecting the 'Consumer engagement' option.
CAHS is committed to helping staff and collaborators secure research funding that aligns with our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities.
This process applies to CAHS staff and external collaborators, such as employees of The Kids Research Institute Australia, who plan to conduct research on-site at CAHS or involve in-kind support from CAHS staff or resources.
For grant funding opportunities or queries, complete the Request research support form, selecting the 'grant funding' option.
For detailed information about our grants funding process and the support available – including current opportunities – visit our Grants and Funding page.
Explore further funding opportunities on the State Government’s Health and Medical Research website.
A comprehensive training and education program is part of CAHS commitment to developing the research capability of its investigator workforce and supporting current and future researchers to conduct meaningful, quality child health research.
Our open-access Research Education Program provides valuable educational resources such as research skills seminars and workshops and an annual child health research symposium.
To explore and access these resources visit Research Education Program.
We support the development of clinical research at CAHS by focusing on the education and growth of our researchers.
Our key areas of advice include:
- research protocol and proposal development
- developing proposals for grant applications
- meeting ethics and governance requirements
- reporting and record-keeping
- research project management.
We also provide guidance to researchers to enhance their research activities across all areas of CAHS.
To get help with your research, please complete the Request research support form, selecting the ‘research facilitation’ option.