Rowing upstream: contextualising indigenous research processes and methodologies through the utilization of ethical principles (original) (raw)

The use of indigenous research ethics has a possibility of contextualising indigenous research. Orthodox research is guided by ethical principles which are meant to protect the institution or researcher and the participants. Despite the existence of the ethical pronouncements, literature has shown that research has proven to be a source of distress for indigenous people. Research has historically drawn upon frameworks, processes and practices of colonial, Western worldviews and the inherent knowledge, methods, morals and beliefs (Martin, 2001). This has led to the perceived notion of insensitivity towards indigenous people. First, they are not only regarded as a "problem" to be solved by external experts, they are treated as passive "objects" that require assistance from external experts. In view of these arguments one can deduce that the orthodox research methods have somehow failed to uphold the contextuality of research methods. Stemming from the incompatibility between orthodox research methods and the indigenous milieu has been the predominantly negative indigenous experience of research which has resulted in not only sceptism towards researchers but also to research processes and outcomes. For instance, indigenous people are on record saying, "researchers are like mosquitoes; they suck your blood and leave". The umbrage has prompted robust calls from indigenous scholars and research ethicists to develop new paradigms of research that have a decolonizing agenda upholding Indigenous ethical archetype. This being a concept the article utilised descriptive and analytical approaches to examine how the indigenous research ethical modus operandi can be a lever to contextualize research. The article concludes by positing that to lessen the skepticism of indigenous peoples cultural sensitivity should be embodied in ethical considerations to negate any dilemmas. Further it avers that in the application of research methods ethical principles such as informed consent should not be taken at face value, but should be considered at a deeper level.

Ethics in Indigenous Research Past Experiences - Future Challenges

Ethics in research related to Indigenous peoples has, over recent decades, been increasingly discussed in a global context. Decolonizing theories and methods have gained legitimacy and prestige, and Indigenous scholarship has challenged mainstream research by adding novel perspectives and critical standpoints that encourage researchers of all origins to reflect upon their own positions within the colonial academic and social structures in which they work. This development has taken different directions and occurred at different speeds depending on local, regional and national settings. In a Swedish Sami research context, we are now in a time when it is clear that things are moving and discussions on research ethics are taking place on a more regular basis. This publication is one example of that. In Sweden, it is the first one in English that addresses ethics in Sami and indigenous research and this will, hopefully, facilitate collaborations, comparisons and discussions on an international scale. The book is based on some of the contributions to the international workshop Ethics in Indigenous Research, Past Experiences – Future Challenges that was held in Umeå in March 2014. The workshop gathered together around fifty scholars from different parts of Sápmi and abroad, and aimed to move forward Indigenous research ethics in Sweden by highlighting and addressing research ethics related to the Sami and Indigenous research field. It is hoped that this book will serve as an inspiration, a critique, and an illustration of where discussions are heading in a Nordic, and more specifically, Swedish context. It is intended to function as a foundation for future ethical discussions at different levels, in national and international settings both within and outside academia.

Implementing Indigenous Research Ethics at the Interface

2020

Indigenous peoples have had a long and fraught relationship with the notion of 'research'. Too often we have been the subjects of studies about us, examined as the novel 'other' and denied agency in a relationship which is about the powerful 'making sense' of a people who are powerless. As subjects of other peoples' 'science', we have been harmed, exploited and traumatised.

Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Indigenous Research

The aim of this document is to assist researchers to recognise and take the rights and interests of Indigenous Australians into account in the development of proposals and conduct of research; to outline the main ethical issues and principles involved, and to help researchers access the literature on the conduct of research with Indigenous people. This document is a starting point for ongoing discussions among the research community, Indigenous stakeholders and AHURI. It is hoped that it will continue to evolve over time, as appropriate, as further relevant protocols and Indigenous research approaches are articulated.

Research ethics, informed consent and the disempowerment of First Nation peoples

Research Ethics

Recently, Indigenous commentators have begun to analyse the way in which institutional Research Ethics Boards (REBs) engage with Indigenous researchers and participants, respond to Indigenous peoples’ concerns with academic research activities, and scrutinise the ethics proposals of Indigenous scholars. Of particular concern for Indigenous commentators is that the work of REBs often results in the marginalisation of Indigenous approaches to knowledge construction and dissemination, especially in relation to the vexed issue of informed consent. Based on analysis of the results of research with Indigenous researchers and research participants, this paper argues that institutionalised REBs’ preference for ‘universal’ and ‘individualised’ approaches for determining ethical research conduct marginalises Indigenous approaches to ethical research conduct. The paper concludes by calling for a decolonisation of REB processes through recognition of the validity of communal processes for attai...

Ethical research in indigenous contexts and the practical Implementation of it

2015

Ethics application required ü ü ü X X Department of Education (WA) (2009). Research conducted on departmental sites by external parties. Retrieved from http://det.wa.edu.au/policies/detcms/policy-planningand-accountability/policies-framework/policies/research-conducted-on-department-ofeducation-sites-by-external-parties.en?cat-id=3457972 Department of Health (2012). WA health research, governance, policy and procedures.

Loading...

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.