Our services
Home

Research strategy

Our research strategy includes two broad priority areas within which we provide core types of research, guided by scientific research principles

Broad priority areas

1. Posttraumatic mental health

in veteran and military populations
in community populations, with a particular emphasis on those who have been seriously injured

2. Broader mental health issues in military and veteran populations

The core types of research conducted within these areas are:

Epidemiological research

Research into the causes, prevalence, nature and course of trauma-related mental health conditions in all populations, and broader mental health conditions in veteran and military populations.

Measurement research

Research into the conceptual and psychometric properties of measures relevant to mental health in veteran and military populations and to trauma exposure in all populations. This research includes investigation of the psychometric properties of instruments in use and the development of new instruments.

Treatment outcome research

Research into the effectiveness of interventions for individuals exposed to trauma and for veteran and military mental health more broadly. This includes monitoring of outcomes of DVA-funded PTSD programs and VVCS group programs.

Evaluative and applied research

Applied research and evaluation of programs, service developments and strategic initiatives. This involves applying rigorous evaluation methods to research questions related to service system development, initiatives and programs upon client request or in response to tenders.

Our research principles: ethics and knowledge transfer

Our research conforms to NHMRC ethics guidelines and the University of Melbourne’s Code of Conduct for Research. We communicate our research findings as widely as possible to help improve outcomes for people affected by trauma, and the veteran and military communities through:

Timely reporting to funding bodies and other interested parties
Publication in scientific journals
Presentation of research findings at national and international conferences and meetings
Other avenues to reach a broader audience through our communication strategy