Murru Minya–informing the development of practical recommendations to support ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research: a protocol for a national mixed-methods study

Abstract

IntroductionConducting ethical and high-quality health research is crucial for informing public health policy and service delivery to reduce the high and inequitable burden of disease experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ethical guidelines and principles specifically for health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been developed for use since 1987. However, there has been limited examination of how these are being applied to the conduct of research.Methods and analysisMurru Minyawill be a large-scale national study to examine the implementation of ethical processes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. A mixed-methods design will be used in fourbaarra(steps). The first threebaarrawill collect knowledge, experiences and wisdom from three key groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, research academics, and Human Research Ethics Committees using online surveys, yarning, and semistructured interviews. This knowledge will inform the finalbaarraof developing a set of practical recommendations to support ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research into the future.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for this research project has been granted by National, State and Territory Human Research Ethics Committees. This research has been developed in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation representatives, Aboriginal community members, the National Health Leadership Forum, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research team. The knowledge translation plan will be integrated and revised throughout the project as partnerships and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue. All findings will be shared with peak Aboriginal research bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in ways that are meaningful to them.

Knowledge translation in Indigenous health research: voices from the field

“…Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers have called for a reframing of health research to enhance the benefits of research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 29,39 . Research is also underway to examine the implementation of ethical health research practice from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 40 . All institutions, funding bodies, and academics need to reflect and revise ways of conducting research, with the aim of improving Indigenous health as we move toward challenging the colonial knowledge production discourse.…”

Upholding our rights in research: calling for urgent investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research ethics

“…I am a social worker, mother of four, Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle, and Executive Manager of Research and Knowledge Translation at Lowitja Institute. I held the Aboriginal representative seat on the University's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for over two years, and lead the national study Murru Minya , which explored the conduct of ethical research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health 2 . Our critical reflections expressed in this article are informed by our social and cultural world view.…”