advice to researchers

3 Ethical Review

3.1  Are there any Aboriginal people included within the ethics committee reviewing the research proposal?

  • At the moment, there are no Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committees in Victoria.  However, VACCHO is trialing a process of ethics review, which includes a panel of Aboriginal researchers.  The process of ethical review of research projects is detailed to ensure ethical and culturally appropriate health research that will benefit Aboriginal people.
  • VACCHO recommends at least two Aboriginal people review the proposal, to ensure it is culturally appropriate and sensitive, and will cause no harm.
  • Few Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) with Indigenous members exist in Australia.  However, some organisations have guidelines (link to AITSIS guidelines, link is also below in the resources section) regarding appropriately conducted research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

 

Resources: Ethical Review

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA)

Have an ethics committee with clear guidelines downloadable at:

http://www.ahcsa.org.au/content/12

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC)

Have an ethics committee with clear guidelines downloadable at:

http://www.ahmrc.org.au/Ethics%20and%20Research.htm 

Australasian Human Research Ethics Association (AHREA)

Provides information for members of HRECs, researchers and all individuals interested in ethical conduct of research involving humans.

http://www.ahrea.org.au/index.html  

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Departmental Ethics Committee (DEC)An approved HREC that provides ethical assessment of non-biomedical human research proposals.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-ethics-index.htm  

Guidelines for Ethical Research in Indigenous Studies

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AITSIS), Canberra, NSW (2000)

http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/2290/ethics_guidelines.pdf 

Indigenous Health Ethics Network

This Network provides relevant national and international guidelines and references for Indigenous health research, as well as a link to all Australian HRECs with at least one Indigenous member.

http://www.indigenoushealthethics.net.au/

Indigenous Issues Unit, Department of Justice

This site contains guidelines for research ethics applications for researchers.

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/About+Us/Our+Organisation/Business+Area+Profiles/JUSTICE+-+Indigenous+Issues+Unit 

NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007

The National Statement contains detailed guidance for research institutions and their human research ethics committees regarding processes for ethical review of all research involving human participants.

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm  

NHMRC Indigenous Health

Provides useful links to all related Indigenous matters on the NHMRC website including media releases, publications, research issues and more.

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/your_health/indigenous/index.htm  

NHMRC Keeping Research on Track Handbook

Keeping research on track: a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about health research ethics, 2006.

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e65syn.htm 

NHMRC Values and Ethics Handbook

Values and Ethics: Guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, 2003.

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e52syn.htm

 

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