The following four steps can help determine whether research is likely to be useful to Marine Park management. 

Step 1 – Determine whether the issue is of concern to management.
Step 2 – Establish the adequacy of available information on the issue.
Step 3 – Determine the feasibility of researching the question within reasonable time and resource constraints.
Step 4 – If the research question was answered, would it facilitate the GBRMPA better to achieve its objectives (e.g. would it lead to improvements in the way the Marine Park is managed, or raise public awareness)? Are there likely to be tangible management options to address the issue?

This framework gives guidance relevant to Steps 1 and 2 (in particular see Framework Tables). Steps 3 and 4 are then best considered as a basis for discussion between researchers and managers when planning and prioritising research and monitoring programs. 

Related information

• How GBRMPA uses scientific information needs
• How these scientific information needs were determined