title: Enhancing research quality through cultural competence: a case study in Queensland prisons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the processes undertaken to maximise cultural competence in a complex research project and illustrate how this enhanced the quality of the research and impact of the research outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  An epidemiological survey of the mental health of Indigenous people in custody in Queensland was conducted using culturally informed research processes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research process that enhanced cultural competence is described. The research outcomes were positive in terms of participant and community experiences, participation rates, publications and other research outputs, capacity building and translation of research findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper describes in practical terms how to conduct culturally informed research and how this approach enhanced the scientific rigour of a complex Indigenous health research project. Indigenous health research should be conducted using a culturally competent method.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Ed.Heffernan@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heffernan
authors.affiliation: Manager, Way Forward Project, Metro North and South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Kimina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Professor, Griffith Criminology Institute & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, and; Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, and; Honorary Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kinner
mesh_terms: D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D054521:Cultural Competency; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011793:Queensland; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Indigenous population; cultural competence; mental disorders; prisons; research design