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Background: the CQUniversity Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR)

The Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR) provides a focus for multidisciplinary research that addresses the real needs of the communities in which it operates, and informs the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum of CQUniversity Australia. The primary focus of this research is on informing, monitoring and evaluating programs, interventions and behavioural changes that promote healthy, safe and viable communities.

The IHSSR adopts two broad roles in support of the University's mission and strategic plan. First, the Institute serves as a membership-based organisation that services and supports the research endeavours of its members and staff. Second, the Institute works proactively to drive the research agenda and profile of CQUniversity by identifying and pursuing a limited range of strategic priorities. Other functions that are consistent with these roles include the mentoring of early career researchers, coordination of opportunities for collaboration among members, development of research infrastructure, and the provision of professional development opportunities.

A key facility for research is the Institute's Population Research Laboratory (PRL). The PRL conducts high quality social surveys using advanced social research methods including computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and web-based surveys. The PRL has a diversified portfolio of research projects that it has undertaken for university and non-university based researchers to enable decision making in both the public and private sectors. The capacity for quantitative data collection housed within the PRL complements the qualitative research and policy analysis capacity of Institute members.