Ethical Research Conduct

Research that is conducted with Indigenous individuals and communities must be conducted in ways that Indigenous people identify as ethical. A principled approach to research upholds ethical guidance for research, described in five fundamental principles of research [5]. These concepts are evident in guidelines that describe principled approaches to the conduct of research with Indigenous people.

Here, we introduce some fundamental principles for research conducted with Indigenous people.  Click on the hotspot (+) icons on the image below to learn more about each principle. They provide a basic framework for understanding and engaging in Indigenous research ethics, and are covered in greater detail in the training resource.

References

5. Estey EM, Smylie J, Macaulay A, for the CIHR – Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health. (2009). Aboriginal Knowledge Translation. Understanding and Respecting the Distinct Needs of Aboriginal Communities in Research. Retrieved from https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/41392.html

6. Kirkness VJ & Barnhardt R. (1991). First Nations and Higher Education: The Four R’s–Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility. Journal of American Indian Education, 30(3): 1-15.

7. Harris LD, & Wasilewski J. (2004). Indigeneity, an alternative worldview: Four R’s (relationship, responsibility, reciprocity, redistribution) vs. two P’s (power and profit): Sharing the journey towards conscious evolution. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 21(5), 489-503.

8. Restoule JP. (2008, November 26). The five R’s of Indigenous research: Relationship, respect, relevance, responsibility, and reciprocity. Workshop presented at the Wise Practices II: Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network Research and Capacity Building Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

9. Styres S & Zinga D. (2013). The community-first land-centred theoretical framework: Bringing a ‘good mind’ to Indigenous education research? Canadian Journal of Education, 36(2), 284-313.