1. Funding research into ageing- The NH&MRC perspective Professor Judy Black

2. The National Research Priorities Promoting and maintaining good health Strategic research networks Ageing well, ageing productively Collaboration with ARC etc discussions started, workshop planned

3. PMSEIC Need for a strong evidence base to formulate policies Need for multidisciplinary research into 1.physical activity 2.Nutrition 3.Work and social environment 4.The built environment 5.A national network for healthy ageing research

4. Strategic Research Development Committee Research in Healthy ageing - community consultation Eight projects funded Healthy ageing PhD scholarships Palliative Care Oral health of older Australians -18 projects

5. PhD scholarships Home and community care Reducing falls in older people Economic considerations in residential aged care

6. Ageing projects Pharmacology Cellular ageing Community services in neurodegenerative disease Dementia in ATSI people etc

7. Strategic networks Mechanism for identifying effective strategic responses to achieve desired outcomes Not simply a medical issue - collaborate with AIHW, COTA, DoHA, NARI,

8. Collaboration NH&MRC workshop with ageing and aged care (AACD) division of DoHA to strengthen novice researchers in the field of dementia

9. Qualitative vs Quantitative Qualitative methodology is often unfairly criticised for lacking scientific rigour. Both methodologies share concerns about statistical power, subgroup analysis and generalisability. Both may be affected by issues of bias and confounding.

10. What is Quality Research? ‘Quality’ - methods used to minimise bias in the design and conduct of a study. ‘Relevance’ - the extent to which research findings can be applied in other settings. ‘Strength’ - the magnitude and reliability of the results.

11. Appraisal of the Evidence Increasing attention is being paid to the critical appraisal and synthesis (meta- analysis) of the evidence base to inform policy.

12. Meta-analysis Advantages: increased power robustness and transferability Disadvantage: small biases may compound and result in an ‘apparent’ effect

13. What does this mean for us? Policy and practice is based only on the highest quality data which meets the standards for inclusion in meta-analysis.