Evidence Matters: Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities

Figures & data

Table 1. Key documents guiding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research in Australia.

Document	Description	Key principles, values, and stages
AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (AIATSIS, 2020a)	Original version released in 1999 and has undergone regular reviews and updates Applies to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research “Sets national standards for the ethical and responsible conduct of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, across all disciplines and methodologies” (AIATSIS, 2020a, p. 2) and “additional requirements to achieve the objectives of respect and recognition set out in the Code for Responsible Research and the National Statement” (AIATSIS, 2020a, p. 4; NHMRC, 2018a, 2018d)	Describes four overarching principles: Indigenous self-determination Indigenous leadership impact and value sustainability and accountability
A Guide to Applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (AIATSIS, 2020b)	Companion document to the AIATSIS Code (AIATSIS, 2020a, 2020b) Provides advice on how to apply the principles outlined in the AIATSIS Code in practice (AIATSIS, 2020a)	Describes application of the principles from the AIATSIS Code (AIATSIS, 2020a) throughout the four key research stages of: getting started implementing your project communicating research results post-project
Ethical Conduct in Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities: Guidelines for Researchers and Stakeholders 2018 (NHMRC, 2018b)	Original version released in 2004 and has undergone evaluation, review, and revision Applies to all research conducted alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communitise “…Ethical guidelines provide a set of principles to ensure research is safe, respectful, responsible, high quality, of benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and of benefit to research” (NHMRC, 2018b, p. 2) Consistent with but does not cover all content addressed in the AIATSIS Code (AIATSIS, 2020a) Can provide “additional guidance for researchers on values and ethics when working with Indigenous people” (AIATSIS, 2020a, p. 4)	Describes six core values: spirit and integrity (central core value) cultural continuity equity reciprocity respect responsibiliyt
Keeping Research on Track II (NHMRC, 2018c)	Companion document to the NHMRC Guidelines (NHMRC, 2018b) Describes how to apply the values and guidelines outlined in the NHMRC Guidelines in practice (NHMRC, 2018b)	Describes actions to take to apply the NHMRC Guidelines (NHMRC, 2018b) at each stage in the research journey: building relationships developing the research idea developing the project and seeking agreement collecting data analysing the data and making sense of the findings writing the report sharing and translating the results into action learning from experience

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). (2020a). AIATSIS code of ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. https://bit.ly/aiatsis-code-ethics

 Google Scholar

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2018a). Australian code for the responsible conduct of research. Commonwealth of Australia. https://bit.ly/nhmrcalldownload

 Google Scholar

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2018d). National statement on ethical conduct in human research 2007 (Updated 2018). Commonwealth of Australia. https://bit.ly/nhmrcDownloads

 Google Scholar

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). (2020b). A guide to applying the AIATSIS code of ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. https://bit.ly/aiatsis-guide-applying-code-ethics

 Google Scholar

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2018b). Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders (2018). Commonwealth of Australia. https://bit.ly/nhmrcECRATSIPC

 Google Scholar

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). (2018c). Keeping research on track II: A companion document to “Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders (2018)”. Commonwealth of Australia. https://bit.ly/NHMRCkeeping-research-track-ii

 Google Scholar