Ethical Principles when Conducting Research Studies About Indigenous People

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Conducting Accredited Research
Conducting Research in Compliance with Ethical Principles
The Importance of Communication with Indigenous Peoples
The Reason of Indigenous Peoples’ Underrepresenting in Clinical Researches
The Ways of Avoiding Ethical Principles’ Violation
Policies that Establish Appropriate Ethical Methods of Conducting Researches
The Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession Principles
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The importance of the integration of indigenous knowledge and teaching into the classroom is explained by the need for knowledge sharing, which may bring peace between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Furthermore, expanding the knowledge about indigenous peoples may clarify evidence about native communities, their values, and traditions and decrease racism cases in modern society. Meanwhile, researches about aboriginal societies should be conducted with regard to the local communities and result in respectful treatment of their inhabitants. Every research should follow all the appropriate ethical rules and principles and take into consideration the consent of local communities. So, if the researcher examines the indigenous approach, then it should be ethically correct and culturally appropriate.

Conducting Accredited Research

To conduct accredited research, it may be important to objectively evaluate the ideas and concepts that will be explained in the research. Research methodology should consider several questions to cover the research topic from different aspects and provide relevant evidence. One indigenous view is that “it is important to acknowledge one’s subjectivity in the research one is undertaking. Through the acknowledgment of one’s bias, researchers are ensuring that their perspectives are not hidden” (Kara, 2018, p. 16). Moreover, the research process may differ depending on the research method. In modern study, scientists distinguish two types of research approaches, namely, qualitative and quantitative research. According to Hoonaard (2021, p.20), in qualitative research, which generally follows an inductive approach, “researchers usually start with the social world and then develop a theory that is consistent with what they see.” In qualitative research, investigators start by gathering evidence that will further frame the main research question. In quantitative research, which generally follows a deductive approach, “researchers tend to begin with a theory and then test that theory in the empirical world” (Hoonaard, 2021, p.20). Generally, the research process in quantitative research may be predominantly unpredictable and dynamic.

Conducting Research in Compliance with Ethical Principles

Adherence to ethical principles and issues, notwithstanding the research method, should also be considered as an important part of conducting any research. Correspondingly to Kara’s study (2018), quantitative researchers, just as much as qualitative researchers, should consider the ethical issues associated with planning research, setting it in context, gathering and analyzing evidence, and presenting and the discovered information. Researching compliance with ethical issues should be crucial regardless of the study topic and the research methods. The researchers need to aim for respect and to other’s knowledge and promote mutually beneficial communication between societies (Kara, 2018). Therefore, the theoretical approaches and the methods for conducting research should be based on the idea of relationship and respect and reciprocity, and of course, accountability.

The Importance of Communication with Indigenous Peoples

The importance of integration of native societies knowledge and teaching into the classroom is induced by the fact that aboriginal peoples remain underrepresented in clinical health researches and, consequently, may not be likely to use medical help. Native peoples, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, remain underrepresented and understudied in clinical health research, despite facing higher rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes compared with non-indigenous people (Claw et al., 2018, p. 1). The given data reinforces the need to foster collaboration and build cultural competence between indigenous communities and non-indigenous people in order to allow research communities to aid in disease prevention and treatment.

The Reason of Indigenous Peoples’ Underrepresenting in Clinical Researches

In general, indigenous peoples are underrepresented in genomics research due to researchers’ failed attempts to conduct ethical and inclusive communication with indigenous societies. The recent research malpractice has led to mistrust and explained peoples’ reluctance to share personal health information, such as DNA, with the research community (Claw et al., 2018). To indigenous people be more likely to benefit from genomic research, scientists and researchers should incorporate cultural views and acknowledge local research review boards. In accordance with Claw et al. (2018), researchers should learn how to respect cultural values, implement transparency, and equity to increase engagement of diverse groups in genomic research, and enhance ethical research practices. Examining such methods may help to create a mutually beneficial partnership among researchers and indigenous community members.

The Ways of Avoiding Ethical Principles’ Violation

In order to avoid violating ethical principles, researchers should recognize different points of view and interests within the indigenous communities and behave in such a manner that respects the customs, codes, and culture of the indigenous communities and societies. In the recent research from Riddell et al. (2017), the guidelines express an expectation that the research process will be collaborative, participatory, of benefit to communities, and strengthen communities’ capacity for research. If needed, before recruiting and interviewing the participants of the conducted research, a formal research agreement may be signed that clarifies the results’ dissemination plans, compliance with privacy and confidentiality policy, and the individual’s consent availability.

Policies that Establish Appropriate Ethical Methods of Conducting Researches

Unfortunately, researchers have been conducting researches that do not meet the ethical principles and cultural values of Indigenous communities. It can be argued that “Indigenous Peoples have previously been the subjects of research endeavors, rather than consenting participants” (Drawson et al., 2017, p. 1). Such research methods, when researchers disregard the cultural values of indigenous societies, were no longer appropriate. As a result, the Tri-Council funding agencies have provided ethical principles and policy documents designed to promote mutually beneficial practices within aboriginal research (Drawson et al., 2017). The given methods that promote ethical and inclusive policy regarding indigenous communities have been implemented federally. According to Drawson et al. (2017, p.1), “these policies have created ethical guidelines for research agreements between the researcher and the knowledge holding communities, related to informed consent, academic integrity, disclosure, equity and benefit-sharing, and empowerment.” In broad terms, the principles establish acceptable and appropriate research methods regarding communication with Indigenous Peoples and include prioritizing Indigenous knowledge and values.

The Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession Principles

Regarding the existence of disrespectful researches about indigenous people and cases when ethical issues were neglected, and the knowledge provided by Indigenous communities was improperly used by the research community, adequate and relevant principles concerning the research process were developed among different nations. The Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) principles were developed to address the history of disrespectful, exploitive, and oppressive research carried out in Indigenous communities without members’ informed consent or benefit (Riddell et al., 2017). Thereby, indigenous people may remain engaged in the research process. According to Riddell et al. (2017, p. 5), the OCAP principles offer “an Indigenous approach to all aspects of research, including consultation, decision making, research methods, data storage, and knowledge mobilization.” Due to these principles, the researchers should offer a framework to the indigenous people so that they could determine whether research will be of benefit to them.

Conclusion

Summarizing the above-mentioned evidence, it may be argued that developing knowledge about indigenous communities may be crucial in building a peaceful, educated, and progressive society where is no place for wars and racism. However, when gathering information and conducting researches about indigenous people, researchers should work in compliance with ethical principles. In order to avoid previous malpractices regarding collaboration between researchers and indigenous people, several principles and policies that establish appropriate ways of communication were developed. Regardless of the study topic nor methods, ethical principles should be considered.

References

Claw, K. G., Anderson, M. Z., Begay, R. L., Tsosie, K. S., Fox, K., & Garrison, N. A. (2018). A framework for enhancing ethical genomic research with indigenous communities. Nature Communications, 9(1). Web.

Drawson, A. S., Toombs, E., & Mushquash, C. J. (2017). Indigenous research methods: A systematic review. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 8(2). Web.

Hoonaard, D. V. D. K. (2021). Qualitative research in action: A Canadian primer. Oxford University Press.

Kara, H. (2018). Research ethics in the real world: Euro-Western and indigenous perspectives (First ed.). Policy Press.

Riddell, J. K., Salamanca, A., Pepler, D. J., Cardinal, S., & McIvor, O. (2017). Laying the groundwork: A practical guide for ethical research with indigenous communities. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 8(2). Web.

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