Ethical research for indigenous people by indigenous researchers

Research processes as well as research outcomes are increasingly a focus of consideration for those engaging in a broad range of Indigenous research in Australia. 'Research reform advocates have argued for a fundamental re-positioning of Indigenous peoples from that of research participants to that of active participation in all aspects of research activity' (Dunbar and Scrimgeour 2006, p. 179). This paper proposes a set of guiding principles that may assist in developing an effective relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants when conducting research. As we all should know by now, research about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has not always been ethical. There are many examples of intellectual property of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being exploited, with no beneficial outcomes for those providing the researchers with their knowledge.