RELEVANT CODES, PROTOCOLS, AND GUIDELINES IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIGENOUS RESEARCH

Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in Australia is governed by several codes, protocols, and guidelines and there is an expectation by the various governing bodies and various Human Research Ethics Committees that all such research will conform with the relevant ethical research frameworks. This chapter sets out these frameworks (both national and international) in the context of social research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in Australia. I argue that researchers intending to conduct ethical research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities need to be aware of—and at minimum, have a working knowledge of—these codes, protocols, and guidelines and their close interconnections. Adherence to these codes, protocols, and guidelines is vitally important in developing enduring partnerships based on trust and mutual respect—key factors in achieving effective engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.