My research with ECs in remote regions was particularly vulnerable to ethical considerations, as my participants were human and many were both Canadian and Aboriginal people. There were specific documents that guided and directed the development of all thesis research projects, and Royal Roads University provided me with easy access to the current policies, guidelines, and standards. The overarching policy that was examined first was the Research Ethics Policy (Royal Roads University [RRU], 2004). This policy provided the principles, practices, and procedures to guide the ethical conduct of my research.
Of particular interest were the eight Guiding Ethical Principles found in section D of the Research Ethics Policy (RRU, 2004). These principles introduced the ethical issues when research involves humans. Researchers must provide sufficient evidence of the following eight elements. (a) respect for dignity, (b) respect for free and informed consent, (c) respect for vulnerable persons, (d) respect for privacy and confidentiality, (e) respect for justice and inclusiveness, (f) balancing harms and benefits, (g) minimizing harm, and (h) maximizing benefit (¶ 9). My research in northern Manitoba with ECs, who are Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people, needed to meet these ethical standards. The following description encapsulates how this research project provided evidence of compliance with the Guiding Ethical Principles of the Research Ethics Policy (RRU, 2004).
Treating people in a dignified manner was accomplished through the development of group action guidelines. These guidelines complied with Royal Roads University’s (2004) policies on collecting free and informed consent of research participants. Part of the first focus group was devoted to setting group rules about respect and dignity.