Research in Indigenous Communities much more than black and white

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"Research in Indigenous Communities - much more
than black and white"

• UTS GRADUATE SCHOOL
• JUMBUNNA
• UTS HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE

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Outline

• Introduction
• Practicalities applying for UTS HREC approval
• Stories from the field Virginia Watson, Wendy
  Jopson, Nicole Watson
• Community experiences viewpoints
• Ethical issues
• Cultural issues

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Outline continued

• Negotiating access to communities
• Timelines competing priorities
• Ownership of data/IP
• Impact on communities
• Research outcomes negative and positive
• Potential minefields

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Outline continued

• Other issues
• Questions
• Resources

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Practicalities applying for UTS HREC approval

• HREC meets monthly (2nd Tuesday)
• Forms guidelines on Web
• Allow sufficient time
• Jumbunna review in addition to HREC review
• Appendix C required in addition to application

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Appendix C

• LANGUAGE CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Research involving people from identifiable
  language and cultural groups, including your own,
  may require special sensitivity. If the research
  is being carried out in another country, you must
  comply with UTS as well as local standards, laws
  and guidelines.

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• (a) Is the research being conducted in English?
  If yes, please proceed to Question j below.
• (b) What language is the research being conducted
  in?
• (c) What is your level of competence in this
  language?
• (d) Will you be using an interpreter?

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• (e) What prior relationship, if any, does the
  interpreter have to the participant(s)? (Note
  According to the National Statement on Ethical
  Conduct in Research Involving Humans, 2.26(b), it
  is preferable for the interpreter to be
  independent but when the research proposed is of
  minimal risk, an English-speaking relative or
  friend may be acceptable.)

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• (f) How have you ensured that the interpreter
  will maintain confidentiality?
• confidentiality agreement
• clear briefing provided for both interpreter and
  participant
• clear explanation on consent form of role of
  interpreter
• other (explain)
• (g) Who has done the translations of the
  participant information (e.g. consent form,
  information sheet, etc.)?

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• (h) Have you translated the participant
  information from English into the relevant
  language(s)? Please provide copies of all
  material, clearly labeled, in English and other
  relevant languages. (Note If the research is
  considered greater than minimal risk, the
  Committee will ask you to supply
  back-translations of all participant information,
  including consent forms)

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• (i) If you are using a translator/interpreter,
  describe who you will be using, their
  qualifications experience, relationship to the
  group, and how you will ensure confidentiality.
  You must also provide translations and
  back-translations of any written information for
  participants.

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• j) How have you sought approval from the
  community or group involved? (Please attach a
  copy of any letter of approval/agreement if
  appropriate.)
• (k) Was the research generated from within the
  community or group?
• (l) In what ways might the community or group be
  affected by this research?

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• (m) How have you incorporated consideration for
  local prudential rules and customs in your
  research design?(n) How do you intend to feed
  the research results back to the community?

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• (o) If the research is taking place in another
  country, the Committee requests that you arrange
  for a local, independent contact person, to make
  it easier for your participants should they wish
  to confirm your identity or express any concerns.
  Please give details.
• (Note that the contact persons details should
  also be included in any written material for
  participants.)

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• (p) If the research is taking place in another
  country, do you require any special approval
  arrangements (e.g. visa)? Please give details.
  Note travel must be in accordance with the
  Vice-Chancellor's Operational Directives -
  Travel http//www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/pdfs/ut
  straveldirectives.pdf

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Basic ethical principles

• Integrity
• Respect for persons
• Beneficence
• Justice

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Ethical issues

• Consent
• Cost/benefit
• Confidentiality/anonymity
• Cultural considerations
• Children
• Care
• Communication
• Commercial interests
• Conflict of interest

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Ethical issues continued

• Collection of data
• Control of data
• Consultation
• Consequences
• Complaints
• Commonsense
• Cultural sensitivity

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Available Assistance

• Supervisor
• Research Ethics Officer/Manager available to
  answer questions
• Guidelines also available on web

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Contact Details

• Hadiza Yunusa
• Research Ethics Officer
• Research Innovation Office
• Level 7, Tower Building
• Ph 02 9514 9615
• Email Hadiza.Yunusa_at_uts.edu.au
• http//www.uts.edu.au/research/policies/human.ht
  ml

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Contact Details

• Susanna Gorman
• Research Ethics Manager
• Research Innovation Office
• Level 7, Tower Building
• Ph 02 9514 1279
• Email Susanna.Gorman_at_uts.edu.au
• http//www.uts.edu.au/research/policies/human.ht
  ml

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Contact Details

• Mark McMillan
• Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning
• Ph 9514 9684
• Email Mark.McMillan_at_uts.edu.au

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Resources

• UTS ethics web page http//www.uts.edu.au/research
  /policies/human.html
• Values and ethics http//www.nhmrc.gov.au/publica
  tions/synopses/e52syn.htm
• AIATSIS Guidelines http//www.aiatsis.gov.au/__dat
  a/assets/pdf_file/2290/ethics_guidelines.pdf