Research Design

The Alfred Research & Ethics Unit

Research design

Project design is a critical aspect of research. It is unethical to request individuals to undergo the risks, inconvenience and expense of a study that is unlikely to provide a scientifically worthwhile answer. It is also unethical to request sacrifices from volunteers that are out of keeping with the value of the research being undertaken.
In keeping with this principle, it is important to ensure that studies do not suffer from substantial design errors or are susceptible to serious bias in event recording. Sample size should be calculated to include the right number of subjects to provide an answer to the research question.

Biostatistician

The Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University provides the services of a biostatistician for researchers to consult on the statistical aspects of research design and analysis. For those who are new to research, it is advisable to seek assistance from the biostatistician before commencing any studies.

The biostatistician is available to Alfred staff for statistical consultation by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be reached by e-mail at michael.bailey@med.monash.edu.au.

This page was last modified on 25/08/08

URL: http://www.alfredresearch.org/alfredgrants/resdes.htm