Limbs 4 Life regularly receives requests from Australian and international organisations and researchers who would like to offer opportunities for our stakeholders (e.g. people with limb loss, carers, practitioners) to participate in their amputation or disability related research project. Limbs 4 Life, as the national peak body for those living with limb loss, is also contacted to participate in research at an organisational level.
Submitting an application
The Limbs 4 Life Research Sub-Committee reviews applications for research assistance. This balanced committee is comprised of internal and external members who represent Limbs 4 Life, are subject matter experts, have research backgrounds and are consumers (i.e. amputees). This committee meets regularly to review the research applications we receive.
If you would like our assistance in recruiting participants or for Limbs 4 Life involvement in your research, study or survey, please download and complete the application form below. The application is available in either a Word or PDF version, enabling you to choose the most suitable format. Please complete the application and return it (and any relevant attachments) to the email or postal address provided on the application form.
Application Form: Stakeholder and amputation related research (PDF)
Application Form: Stakeholder and amputation related research (Word)
Please call 1300 782 231 or email info@limbs4life.org.au if you have any questions.
Research alignment and guidelines
The purpose of the research must align with Limbs 4 Life’s mission, statement of purpose and be related to people with limb loss and/or those who care for them.
Mission:
We empower amputees and their families with information and support while promoting an inclusive community, to ensure that no one goes through the process of limb loss.
Statement of purpose:
- To promote direct relief and assistance to alleviate the distress of persons who have become disabled through the loss of a limb/limbs as a result of amputation.
- To provide direct support and assistance to amputees and their families through the provision of health literacy and one-on-one peer support.
- To relieve the suffering and distress experienced by amputees and their caregivers, enhance the ongoing treatment of amputees, and assist people with limb loss in making the transition back to everyday living.
Relationship to people with limb loss and support networks:
Research and study projects must be related to people with limb loss/limb difference and/or those who care for them. Such research includes ones which aim to:
- Improve the quality of life outcomes of people with limb loss and/or those who care for them
- Improve amputee related health services (e.g. medical, rehabilitation, prosthetic care, allied health care)
- Explore the stigma and discrimination impacts associated with limb loss
- Explore the mental health impacts associated with limb loss
- Explore the treatment and rehabilitation provided to people with limb loss
- Explore the needs and impacts experienced by family and primary caregivers.
- Limbs 4 Life recognises the value of research exploring the needs, outcomes and experiences of all those affected by limb loss.
- Limbs 4 Life recognises that many people, such as those affected by amputation/limb difference or the practitioners working with this cohort, are interested in research and want to be involved in projects and studies of relevant to them.
- All requests for Limbs 4 Life to assist with the recruitment of participants for research projects must be outlined in the application form. Requests for participant engagement in a study or project must be accompanied by a copy of ethics approval, protocol and participant information sheet. Only applications seeking assistance with study design can be considered by Limbs 4 Life prior to ethics approval or where ethics approval is currently in progress.
- Contingent on approval, Limbs 4 Life endeavours to assist in the recruitment of participants to take part in the design and/or execution phases of research projects and studies. However, Limbs 4 Life cannot guarantee that participants will be available and/or willing to take part.
- Promotion of approved applications will be through mechanisms deemed appropriate by Limbs 4 Life, and which align with the ethics approval. These may include social media and online forums, our website, membership database and/or health professional networks.
- Limbs 4 Life retains the right to remove listings/postings that do not meet the agreed criteria, and/or if complaints are received concerning the research project.
- Acknowledge that Limbs 4 Life takes no responsibility for the research and is not liable for any claims concerning negligence, harm or oversight that might arise during the course of the research
- Acknowledge that providing the researchers with access to potential participants does not indicate Limbs 4 Life’s endorsement of, or participation in, the research project
After receiving a completed application form, Limbs 4 Life will assess and notify the applicant of the decision within four (4) weeks.
Limbs 4 Life’s role
- Limbs 4 Life recognises the value of research exploring the needs, outcomes and experiences of all those affected by limb loss.
- Limbs 4 Life recognises that many people, such as those affected by amputation/limb difference or the practitioners working with this cohort, are interested in research and want to be involved in projects and studies of relevant to them.
- All requests for Limbs 4 Life to assist with the recruitment of participants for research projects must be outlined in the application form. Requests for participant engagement in a study or project must be accompanied by a copy of ethics approval, protocol and participant information sheet. Only applications seeking assistance with study design can be considered by Limbs 4 Life prior to ethics approval or where ethics approval is currently in progress.
- Contingent on approval, Limbs 4 Life endeavours to assist in the recruitment of participants to take part in the design and/or execution phases of research projects and studies. However, Limbs 4 Life cannot guarantee that participants will be available and/or willing to take part.
- Promotion of approved applications will be through mechanisms deemed appropriate by Limbs 4 Life, and which align with the ethics approval. These may include social media and online forums, our website, membership database and/or health professional networks.
- Limbs 4 Life retains the right to remove listings/postings that do not meet the agreed criteria, and/or if complaints are received concerning the research project.
Other important information
To ensure compliance with privacy legislation, Limbs 4 Life will not approach stakeholders individually or release stakeholder details to researchers without the express permission of the individual. Subject to compliance with Limbs 4 Life’s Privacy Policy, stakeholders will be provided with the researcher’s contact details via methods deemed appropriate by Limbs 4 Life and asked to contact the researcher directly.
All researchers that receive assistance from Limbs 4 Life must:
- Acknowledge that Limbs 4 Life takes no responsibility for the research and is not liable for any claims concerning negligence, harm or oversight that might arise during the course of the research
- Acknowledge that providing the researchers with access to potential participants does not indicate Limbs 4 Life’s endorsement of, or participation in, the research project
- Understand that Limbs 4 Life publishes the following disclaimer on our website to accompany research projects and studies that are being promoted by Limbs 4 Life.
Disclaimer for research participants
Limbs 4 Life is a firm believer in research that aligns with its mission, vision and statement of purpose. Limbs 4 Life is not responsible for any external research project listed but always makes reasonable attempts to ensure that projects listed have appropriate approval from a recognised institution or organisation. All potential research participants should thoroughly read the participant information sheet provided by the researcher, and be satisfied that appropriate approval procedures have been met (e.g. ethics approval). If you want to take part in a listed research project and you have any questions or concerns, these should be directed to the researcher or contact person on the participant information sheet. Limbs 4 Life is unable to answer questions about external research projects.
