Reflections on the Application of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations' Research Principles in a Photovoice Food Security Study.

Abstract

Issue addressed: The conduct of ethical research: the application of ethical practice as guided by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations' (ACCHOs) research principles.

Methods: A synthesis of two ACCHOs' research principles was conducted, followed by a reflection on the practical application of these principles in a photovoice study in a broader project, the Remote Food Security Project.

Results: The principles synthesis found many commonalities, reflected in six themes with an overall lens of social justice, fairness, and human rights. Application of these principles revealed that in general the principles were upheld. Addressing unforeseen challenges was a learning outcome for future research practice. Key factors in application of the principles included Indigenous governance, for example Indigenous representation at all governance levels including the Chief Investigator Group overseeing decision making, Community Advisory Group involvement in implementation design, and participant involvement in the data analysis. Capacity strengthening occurred for all stakeholders including governance groups, research staff and participants, but challenges to engaging and sustaining community researchers were identified with learnings for future research practice.

Conclusions: These two ACCHOs have congruous research principles, reflecting the ethical guidelines on which they are based. In the photovoice study, and within the context of the broader project, there was generally a demonstration of the practical application of these principles, as well as the challenges encountered and valuable learnings. SO WHAT?: Learnings from this study are intended to inform future health promotion research design and ethical health promotion research conduct in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Engagement with ethical research principles should be standard practice in research conduct with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, for example through reflecting on ethical guidelines and/or organisational research principles throughout the research process from planning to review and reflection; reporting of this could be too.