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Guide to a Plain English Research Statement
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Guide to the Informed consent form
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Ethics Clearance Proposal
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Ethical Clearance Proposal
General
THIS FORM
A separate proposal must be submitted for each project, or each part of a project that may have distinct ethical implications.
EVIDENCE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
AIATSIS research should be carried out in consultation with significant regional and local Indigenous organisations or groups in the area of the research and/or individuals involved in the research. Community support should be sought at an appropriate stage. It may not be appropriate during initial scoping, for instance, but will be required during any research planning that is expected to result in particular research activities. Communication with representative organisations or groups should be planned as an ongoing activity of the research. In some cases, such as some types of archival research, community consultation may not be required.
EVIDENCE OF INDIVIDUAL CONSENT
Evidence of individual consent is required from all participants in your research. This will normally be a signed letter or form. It may be submitted on other media where circumstances warrant this. It must show that the participant has been informed of the nature of the research in a manner that is readily comprehensible. The participant should reasonably be able to understand the effects of the research project as it is carried out, and in the future, as far as possible. If this is not the case, real and potential effects should be outlined to the participant. It must show that the participant is aware that he/she can withdraw at any time. It must show an agreement over ownership of intellectual property arising from the research (reports, books, articles, images, designs, maps, recordings etc.). It must show you have reached agreement over confidentiality provisions for material arising from the research.
ETHICAL RISKS
Researchers should think about the ethical risks of their research in broad terms. One example of an ethical risk is that the conduct of the research produces an expectation on the part of the research participant(s) that you will provide them with a benefit that it is not in your power to fulfil. There may be other ethical risks. The principles of ethical research involving humans stipulate that research participants should suffer no harm, no coercion and no cost.
The Research Proposal
Name of Researcher:
Position at AIATSIS:
Title of Research Project:
Aims of Research:
Research Methods and Techniques:
List the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, community organizations and/or individuals with whom you wish to work and from whom you have obtained support and informed consent:
If you have not obtained the support and informed consent of the people with whom you wish to work please indicate what steps you are taking to fulfil this requirement, or state why you think that such consent might not have been forthcoming or is not required:
How do you intend to protect the personal privacy of individuals/families?
Have you considered the potential impact of your research on culturally restricted information?
How will materials be stored and access moderated both during and at the conclusion of the project?
Are there any other ethical risks associated with this research?
Provide with this document:
- a copy of the information you provided to the community and to individuals when you consulted with them and negotiated agreement for your research;
- a pro forma (example or sample) of the informed consent form you will be providing to participants throughout the project which explicitly states the terms of ownership of intellectual property arising from the research (copyright, patents etc).