Our approach to ethics

We value honesty, integrity and ethical practice. We always take an ethical approach, in which we only do evaluation:

• if the evaluation’s purpose is to assess or improve policy or service provision in a way that will benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• for reasons agreed to by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• if it does not hurt or shame Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• if all participants are afforded appropriate protections and respect
• if there is a pathway to address concerns.^[1]Orr M, Kenny P, Gorey IN, Dixon T, Mir A, Cox E, Wilson J. (2009). Aboriginal Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protocol: Community Guide. 2nd Edition. Ninti One Limited, Alice Springs.^[2]National Health and Medical Research Council (2014). Ethical considerations in quality assurance and evaluation activities. Canberra: NHMRC, p. 2

When carrying out research and evaluation, where appropriate we adhere to:

• National statement on ethical conduct in human research (2007, updated 2018)
• Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders 2018
• AIATSIS code of ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research
• Ethical considerations in quality assurance and evaluation activities

We have long-term experience with Human Research Ethics Committees including as Chairperson, members, reviewers and applicants. We have experience with approvals of complex and multi-jurisdictional research as well as small local and workforce-related projects. We have also developed and shared widely guides and decision-making tools about research versus quality improvement and where evaluation fits.

We seek approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee where appropriate, and from the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW where appropriate.