Priorities

Research priorities are areas where new research is especially needed.

Why do you need to know about research priorities?

Firstly, it is unethical to undertake research which duplicates other work unnecessarily and does not contribute something useful to existing knowledge. Ethical research seeks to provide greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Research prioritisation helps to establish the need and benefit of a research topic.

Secondly, research prioritisation underpins research funding. If your research does not fall within a priority area of research funders you will never be successful in obtaining funding.

How are research priorities decided?

There are a variety of methods used to determine priorities. Whatever method is used, prioritisation should take into account what research evidence is currently available and the opinions of all stakeholders.

Use this section of the site to find out more about different methods and resources. Other pages look at priorities for the CSP, Funders and the Government as well as research priorities for patients and clinicians.