Exploring Ethical Principles in the Context of Research Relationships

Abstract

Traditional ethical principles regarding the conduct of research have been criticized for not going far enough in the context of relationships between researchers, institutions and Aboriginal communities. A set of principles are presented, aimed at guiding the researcher in negotiating the multiple levels of relationship, which provide both challenge and opportunity. Issues which proved challenging in a recent community-based research project are present-ed. They are used to explore the complexity of typical issues of ethical concern including informed consent, confidentiality and ownership of knowledge