The Curtin Consumer-led Research Education and Support Training Program (known as ‘Curtin CREST’) is an online training program funded by the Western Australia State Government. It has been developed by Curtin Involve and Curtin’s Consumer Research Lab and in collaboration with the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation.
The program aims to educate and upskill consumers and community members with the fundamental principles of research, and to gain the skills to co-design and lead health projects in partnership with researchers and stakeholders.
Time commitment: Approximately 145 – 150 hours + voluntary fortnightly virtual drop-in sessions.
Employ rigorous scientific methods to design health research with a focus on developing insightful and impactful research questions and designs
Evaluate and synthesise information collected from the wide variety of secondary and primary data sources available
Critically apply a wide range of comprehensive research methodologies with a commitment to research ethics, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity
Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative information to aid the development of impactful recommendations for health services
Effectively communicate the results of research findings either verbally or in written formats
Effectively demonstrate collaboration and consultative teamwork skills in the implementation of the research project
Health Care System in Australia
Introduction to Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research
Laying the Groundwork for Contributing Lived Experience to Health Research
Lived Experience in Action – What Research Needs From Consumers / Community
CCI for Impact and Translation
Research Translation and Design Thinking
Secondary Research and Problem Formation
Population Sampling and Recruitment
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research Methods
Clinical Trials and Randomised Control Trials
Health and Medical Research Ethics and Governance
Analytical modules – exploring and applying technical analytic skillsets to conduct both qualitative and quantitative data analysis
After completion of the full Curtin CREST program, all participants will:
Receive a certification of completion
Join the Curtin CREST alumni community
Access unit content for up to 18 months (starting from the program commencement date)
Receive 25-credit-point (equivalent to one unit) for selected Graduate Certificate qualification at Curtin University (each graduate certificate consists of 4 units with 100 credits in total)