Research planning tools

2.5.1 Scientific monitoring by field

The process of organized scientific monitoring plays a key role in establishing the Institute’s research program. More specifically, scientific monitoring has four components: research field mapping, identifying emerging issues, producing knowledge reviews, and information monitoring.

Research field mapping consists of preparing, for each of the Institute’s priority fields, a profile of the research conducted in the main OHS research centres worldwide, by identifying the themes and subjects studied and drafting a list of researchers or

research groups associated with these centres as well as their main areas of expertise. The activities related to this component are expected to continue periodically over the 2013–2017 five-year cycle, given that the most recent mappings were updated in 2011 for each of the prevailing research fields at that time. The preceding sections on the research fields have referred to these mappings.

The identification of emerging issues pertinent to the Québec context involves two complementary processes: passive and active monitoring. Passive monitoring consists of documenting and analyzing the content of existing documents likely to touch on future issues (conference proceedings annual reports, and main publications of organizations active in OHS). Since the fall of 2009, active monitoring has involved the online posting of thematic blogs related to the Institute’s research fields, using information obtained through daily monitoring of over 650 Web pages. These blogs will be maintained and adjusted to the new fields.

The production of status reports provides a snapshot at a given moment in time of the main issues related to a target OHS issue. This type of information serves as an extremely useful tool when a position has to be taken on the type of research to prioritize and the resources to be deployed to adequately address certain issues. Several status reports have already been produced for each of the research fields at the rate of one or two per field per year. This type of document will continue to be produced for each field. Depending on the scope and interest of certain status reports, the IRSST will assess the possibility of ensuring their dissemination to a broad public or even of producing an official publication.

Carried out with the Documentation Centre’s assistance, information monitoring consists of identifying and redistributing information that might be useful to members of each research field. This operation is expected to be ongoing; to date it has taken the form of email messages providing hyperlinks to, for example, very recent publications or pertinent information from a Web site. Other means could be explored over this new cycle.

2.5.2 Statistical surveillance

Since 2006, an analysis-by-field approach has been added to the broader statistical surveillance of all compensated work-related injuries in Québec. Both approaches remain relevant for the 2013–2017 five-year cycle.

More specifically, the activities carried out by the Statistical Surveillance Group are intended to produce, develop, analyze, interpret, and disseminate statistical indicators for each of the fields in order to support the Institute’s strategic orientations and research programs. Based primarily on data concerning compensated work-related injuries in Québec, the activities of the statistical surveillance analysts seek to identify the activity sectors, occupations, and populations at risk; to detect trends; to bring to light certain research issues related to the fields, and to provide statistical information on particular issues.

The activities of the Statistical Surveillance Group can be divided into three categories: comprehensive surveillance, surveillance by field, and statistical knowledge activities. For more than 25 years, the IRSST has been conducting statistical studies (namely producing five-year indicators) aimed at measuring the frequency and severity of work- related injuries by industry and occupational category. These studies are intended to provide the backdrop for OHS indicators in Québec. After each census period, the Group therefore produces five-year indicators. As these indicators are relevant to defining research orientations, this activity will continue with the production of five-year indicators applicable to the 2010–2012 period.

While essential to the identification of industries and occupational categories with the highest injury frequency and severity rates, the five-year indicators do not, however, identify short-term changes and trends. During the 2009–2011 period, it was shown that annual indicators could be produced. Over the 2013–2017 five-year cycle, it is therefore planned to develop these indicators on a broader basis and to produce them for the research fields that have the necessary data available. These indicators will allow for faster detection of changes in terms of risk or severity of work-related injuries.

As a continuation of two studies conducted on the costs of work-related injuries, there are also plans to develop economic indicators that can then be analyzed for different worker groups or injury types.

The aim of statistical surveillance by field is to present statistical profiles of work-related injuries; to measure the risks, severity, and costs of these injuries; and to identify target groups and exposed populations for the fields where relevant indicators can be produced. Statistical surveillance activities by field will continue, with adaptations made to suit the new fields.

Over the 2013–2017 five-year cycle, the production of situational profiles should continue in light of the needs identified by the research fields. The statistical profiles produced using the five-year indicators applicable to the 2000–2002 period will be updated in light of the new five-year indicators applicable to 2005–2007. Profiles related to monitoring activities or specific problems could also be produced.

In terms of statistical knowledge, projects could be initiated to explore in greater depth certain factors (e.g. aging of the labour force) that are likely to have an impact on the frequency and severity of work-related injuries in order to gain a better understanding of the determinants. It is conceivable that data emerging from the EQCOTESST study published in 2011 could eventually be used to shed more light on certain risk factors and provide better guidelines for choosing preventive actions.

2.5.3 Scientific events and activities

Since 2006, a scientific activities and events program was launched in the different research fields to encourage scientific exchanges and collaborations, drive the research

program, and ensure the Institute’s scientific leadership. These events and activities took various forms, such as symposia, seminars, lectures, or informal meetings involving researchers and sometimes partners from the OHS network. Such events and activities can be extremely helpful for taking stock of specific subjects or themes, identifying research issues, fuelling the reflection process in order to define research projects and programs, and sharing research results or new approaches. It is anticipated that this program will continue in each of the fields over the 2013–2017 five- year cycle with at least one event held each year.