Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is a research institute dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait (2012). Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies Guidelines The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies is based in Canberra.
According to the study, indigenous peoples in Australia and other parts of the world have the right to self-determination. As a result, researchers can uphold these rights by ensuring that Indigenous peoples are fully involved in investigations, programs, or initiatives that directly impact them. Furthermore, Indigenous peoples have the right to preserve and regulate their cultural traditions. According to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), these considerations are both ethical values and Indigenous community rights. On the other hand, the AIATSIS acknowledges that the engagement of the Indigenous communities in research projects will help in making the research objective. Therefore, it is mandatory that the procedure of conducting a study that impacts Indigenous people integrate within itself a reciprocity and meaningful engagement. There should also be a clear-cut line between the members of the Indigenous community and the researchers but keep in mind that they are partners in the whole exercise. Among the fundamental reforms made in ensuring that Indigenous research binds itself within this framework, the AIATSIS proposes changes to the protocols, intellectual property laws, the establishment of agreements, and cultural expressions. Hence, the digitization and any other technological advancements will not bring any disadvantages when it comes to the process of conducting Indigenous research.
 
Gower, G., 2012. Ethical research in Indigenous Australian contexts and its practical implementation.
In the article, Gower attributes the use of invasive and inappropriate methods in research to the fact that the non-Indigenous researchers have dominated the field. Specifically, the non-Indigenous researchers have been exploitative with no benefit and little participation among the members of the Indigenous community. The underlying problem does not only exist in the field when conducting research but also extends to the information dissemination and interpretation phase where there is the little engagement of the Indigenous peoples. The information is useful for scholars abroad who utilize it as a gateway to attaining their desired academic credentials. Therefore, Gower asserts that it is evident that Indigenous ownership and involvement in the entire research process is either non-existent or minimal. A longitudinal research conducted focused on the impact research carried out by non-Indigenous individuals had on the ethics of the study. Matters like gaining consent from different people and communities, the use of passive consent, gaining approval from afar, and the transcribing of consent forms were assessed. Despite there being numerous inconveniences, there were times when the researchers underwent issues that either contributed positively or adversely to the study. It is important to note that observing Indigenous protocols was the most critical in ensuring the research procedure followed the due-diligence and the competency for doing any research. On the other hand, training ensures that all researchers (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) can conduct the research process with determination ranging from control to participation.
 
Kendall, E., Sunderland, N., Barnett, L., Nalder, G. and Matthews, C., 2011. Beyond the rhetoric of participatory research in indigenous communities: Advances in Australia over the last decade. Qualitative Health Research, 21(12), pp.1719-1728.
In the article, the authors claim that Indigenous research in Australia has not had any positive impact on the Indigenous communities. The main reason for this is because the research has emphasized the Western approaches while on the other hand failing to give an accurate picture of the needs of Indigenous people. Besides, the knowledge that forms the basis of professional discipline has its inclination on the Western ideology. It is important to note that obtaining information from the Indigenous communities is important, but there is a need for observing procedures that are acceptable to the Indigenous communities. The non-Indigenous researchers in Australia face backdrops when it comes to choosing the relevant research methodologies that can yield acceptable, efficacious, and sustainable solutions. The authors of this article assert that evidence-based approaches to health have become a significant challenge in Indigenous communities and Australia is not an exception. Moreover, the alignment of the solutions offered by researchers to the Western ways of knowing has contributed to providing interventions that are not useful. For this matter, the principles surrounding the Australian research policy are not fully developed, and there is a need for improvement. Similarly, the authors acknowledge that many disparities are arising from inappropriately conducting Indigenous research which depends on the manner in which the researchers perform their roles. Thus, offering proper training and competence to the professionals conducting Indigenous research will assist in obtaining solutions to the existing problems.
 
Putt, J. (2013). Conducting Research with Indigenous people and communities. Sydney: Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse.
Putt acknowledges that researchers (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) ought to follow the underlying good practice frameworks which include integrity, mutual benefit, reciprocity, and respect. However, this has not been the case as there have been shortcomings in the process of researching Indigenous people in the urban setting within Australia. For this reason, there is a need for research bodies to introduce system-oriented training that will work towards ensuring that the desired reforms are put in place. It is important to note that there are arguments which blamed politics where they assert that the policy increases the hurdles when researching Indigenous communities while on the other hand making benefit to these individuals negligible. Putt proposes the solution to this problem to be non-interference of the government policy to any interested bodies as it compromises ethical principles, standards, and the core values. Similarly, community-based participatory research serves as an alternative to establishing partnerships between Indigenous communities, governments, and research institutions. Ultimately, implementing the above solutions will mean that there is an improvement in the Indigenous community engagement while there is increased efficiency the control aspect of the research process. The research organizations in Australia which have sought the support of Indigenous communities in their research have proved to give more satisfactory solutions compared to the other firms with little community engagement.
Rigney, L.I., 2003. Indigenous Australian views on knowledge production and Indigenist research. Studies (AIATSIS), 1, p.3.
In this book, Rigney acknowledges that there are various ways Indigenous Australians view reforms in methodological research. One of the issues surrounding this matter arises due to the impact research has had on the Indigenous lives of Australian researchers. In particular, the control and the power these individuals have had in conducting research has changed over time. The primary reason for this is because of the dominance of the field by Western approaches which have overtaken the pro-active Indigenist ones. It is important to note that Indigenous people have taken advantage of modern scientific research and higher education programs owing to the fact that their history stems from the principles of Indigenous culture, knowledge, and languages. However, Rigney asserts that there is a need for consensus between having the Indigenous knowledge and carrying out research based on ideal cultural practices which are acceptable to the Indigenous communities. For this matter, when coming up with an excellent Indigenous Research Reform Agenda, allowing Indigenous Australians to propose the desired practices and methodologies is important. Further, through the integration of a critical framework accepted by the Indigenous Australians, the identification of challenges in research will be possible. Hence, the Indigenous scholars will manage to arrive at solutions bringing the enthusiastic aspect of Indigenism to not only the research conducted but to the entire sociology field. Thus, there is a need for commitment to achieve healthy change in Indigenous research.
Smith, L.T., 2013. Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books Ltd.
Smith, in this book, takes an insight into the approach which Indigenous researchers and academics ought to follow when coming up with Indigenous research protocols, agendas, and methodologies. On the other hand, she takes a shift by considering non-Indigenous researchers who most at times have a Western "ethnocentric" view. It is important to note that studies by Indigenous people become of real and legitimate knowledge in Western countries only when they add value to the non-Indigenous culture. Smith takes the stance of critiquing the Western research and the assumptions behind it by claiming that the colonial culture dominates most scholars. Smith notes that viewing research through the "Imperial eyes" only brings out the post-colonial picture which she rejects. In particular, she pinpoints the research conducted by government bodies which have in most instances failed to pave the way for indigenous beliefs and knowledge systems. Therefore, Smith concludes that the Western ethnocentric approach of conducting research only marginalizes the Indigenous groups and the non-Indigenous scholars ought to take into consideration the "world-view" of other communities. In a move to set the ground for Indigenous research, Smith proposes alternatives to Western paradigms which address issues related to racism, exploitation, and ethnocentrism. For this reason, she reveals that Indigenous research is real and has evolved over the years which should not be the reason why non-Indigenous researchers use it as a gateway to achieving their academic goals while exploiting the Indigenous communities.
 
References
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (2012). Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
Gower, G., 2012. Ethical research in Indigenous Australian contexts and its practical implementation.
Kendall, E., Sunderland, N., Barnett, L., Nalder, G. and Matthews, C., 2011. Beyond the rhetoric of participatory research in indigenous communities: Advances in Australia over the last decade. Qualitative Health Research, 21(12), pp.1719-1728.
Putt, J. (2013). Conducting research with Indigenous people and communities. Sydney: Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse.
Rigney, L.I., 2003. Indigenous Australian views on knowledge production and Indigenist research. Studies (AIATSIS), 1, p.3.
Smith, L.T., 2013. Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books Ltd.