Data collection and ethics standards
Information and resources to help you plan research activities to suit the nature and purpose of your research and the needs of all participants.
A starting point to help you plan
In Australia, the principles for responsible conduct of research with or about humans are established by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018). This framework supports high-quality research, strengthens reliability, and promotes trust within the community. Adherence to the Code is a prerequisite for funding from research grant bodies, including VLF.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to ethical research. Decisions about how to design, deliver, and present research findings all have ethical elements that should be informed by the specific communities impacted and involved in the research and the wider context in which it is being undertaken.
Research ethics are part of ongoing practice, not just a process or form to be completed. However, it can be hard to know where to begin if you are undertaking research for the first time. The following information is designed to assist grant applicants and recipients to identify the ethical components involved in your research activities. Not all information may be relevant to your project, and we are not able to cover all ethical questions that you may encounter.
The resources and information here are a starting point to help you plan your activities and should be tailored to the nature and purpose of your research and the needs of all participants.
Need help?
Please contact us if you have any questions. Some of the things we might be able to help with include review of documents such as a risk analysis, consent and participant information forms or data security and storage protocols.
If you need further information or support, please contact the Grants team.
Topics
Webinars, workshops, forums and public events to support engagement with the justice system.
Ethical conduct of research within your organisation will be informed by the specific values and principles that underpin all your work.

Ethical conduct of research within your organisation will be informed by the specific values and principles that underpin all your work.
Research may also involve burdens or inconvenience to the research participants. These must also be weighed against the potential benefits of the research to ensure they are not overly onerous.

Research may also involve burdens or inconvenience to the research participants. These must also be weighed against the potential benefits of the research to ensure they are not overly onerous.
Victoria Law Foundation is not an ethics review body, but we can offer support to review documents and research plans.

Victoria Law Foundation is not an ethics review body, but we can offer support to review documents and research plans.
Guidance on your responsibilities and key questions to answer before you undertake research.

Guidance on your responsibilities and key questions to answer before you undertake research.
Templates and links to help guide the development of your own documents.

Templates and links to help guide the development of your own documents.
There are many benefits but also challenges when involving people with lived/living experience in your research.

There are many benefits but also challenges when involving people with lived/living experience in your research.
Related
Webinars, workshops, forums and public events to support engagement with the justice system.
Resources to find the right grant for your project and support to help you submit an application or manage your successful project.

Resources to find the right grant for your project and support to help you submit an application or manage your successful project.
Latest news
Funded projects will investigate a civil legal problem or issue, develop data and research capability, and develop new approaches and services to better understand and respond to community legal need.

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Funding to help respond to legal need
Major Grants offer up to $100,000 for projects that help organisations better understand and respond to the civil legal needs and capabilities of Victorians.