Field research

Researchers who are planning on conducting research activities in the field, in solitary, remote or distant locations, need to plan carefully and consider their own safety and wellbeing as well as that of their research team.

Researchers must submit a Field Activities Plan to the Research Centre and the Employee Health Coordinator prior to conducting any research in the field.

The Field Research Planning Guide has been developed to guide researchers through the considerations, policies, procedures and tools necessary to plan a safe and successful research activity. The guide outlines Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and emergency first-aid response, as well as providing resources and planning tools including:

Field Research Planning Timetables (Domestic and International)
Outline of the various tasks necessary to appropriately plan the research field activity with recommended timeframes for accomplishing each planning piece.

Field Research Emergency Information
To be completed for each member of the research team and filed with the Field Activities Plan.

Field Research General Hazard Assessment Template
To be utilized to make an initial assessment of the field location and develop mitigation and management strategies for all identified hazards.

Field Research Occupational Health and Safety Occurrence Report
To be uitilized only in the event that an incident occurs that requires reporting as outlined in AU's Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

Field Research Standard Operating Procedure Template
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be developed if the field research activity involves any unique or specialized processes or procedures and/or will require the use of special equipment or tools. SOPs must be filed with the Research Centre as part of the Field Activities Plan.