Internal methods advisory group
The Internal Methods Advisory Group (IMAG) was set up in 2010 to allow for a more co-ordinated internal approach to identifying research priorities with advice from external research advisors. In 2010, IMAG identified 19 cross-cutting methodological priorities which are currently being taken up by different teams across NICE and MRC-MRP.
Role and responsibilities
The internal methods advisory group, chaired by the Executive Director responsible for R&D, is responsible for:
- advising the Institute on its programme of research
- identifying, prioritising and promoting important research to fill the evidence gaps related to the Institute's guidance
- promoting and securing funding for research to improve the methods used for scoping, producing and reviewing guidance
- promoting and funding research to help understand and improve the impact of NICE guidance
- promoting a methodological ‘research culture' within Institute Centres and its advisory bodies
- working with partners within the UK and internationally to help secure the long-term sustainability of health-services research and health-technology assessments
- coordinating the research in which the Institute is involved to ensure that it conforms with research governance standards
- periodically reviewing the strategy and processes used by the Institute to undertake its research and development work
The group will also be responsible for communicating the research and development programme to key research partners and provide a national forum for commenting on matters of importance to health services research, with other organisations wherever possible.
This page was last updated: 13 November 2012