Introduction
All researchers working in the North
have an ethical responsibility toward the people of the
North, their cultures, and the environment. The following
principles have been formulated to provide guidance for
researchers in the physical, biological, behavioral,
health, economic, political, and social sciences and in
the humanities. These principles are to be observed when
carrying out or sponsoring research in Arctic and northern
regions or when applying the results of this
research.
This statement addresses the need to
promote mutual respect and communication between
scientists and northern residents. Cooperation is needed
at all stages of research planning and implementation in
projects that directly affect northern people. Cooperation
will contribute to a better understanding of the potential
benefits of Arctic research for northern residents and
will contribute to the development of northern science
through traditional knowledge and experience.
These "Principles for the
Conduct of Research in the Arctic" were prepared by
the Interagency Social Science Task Force in response to a
recommendation by the Polar Research Board of the National
Academy of Sciences and at the direction of the
Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee. This
statement is not intended to replace other existing
Federal, State, or professional guidelines, but rather to
emphasize their relevance for the whole scientific
community. Examples of similar guidelines used by
professional organizations and agencies in the United
States and in other countries are listed in the
publications.
Implementation
All scientific investigations in the
Arctic should be assessed in terms of potential human
impact and interest. Social science research, particularly
studies of human subjects, requires special consideration,
as do studies of resources of economic, and social value
to Native people. In all instances. it is the
responsibility of the principal investigator on each
project to implement the following recommendations.
1. The researcher should inform
appropriate community authorities of planned research on
lands, waters, or territories used by or occupied by them.
Research directly involving northern people should not
proceed without their clear and informed consent. When
informing the community and/or obtaining informed consent,
the researchers should identify:
a. all sponsors and sources of
financial support;
b. the person in charge and all
investigators involved in the research, as well as any
anticipated need for consultants, guides, or
interpreters;
c. the purposes, goals, and
time-frame of the research;
d. data-gathering techniques (tape
and video recordings, photographs, physiological
measurements etc.) and the uses to which they will be
put;
e. foreseeable positive and negative
implications and impacts of the research.
2. The duty of researchers to inform
communities continues after informed consent has been
obtained. Ongoing projects should be explained in terms
understandable to the local community.
3. Researchers should consult with
and, where applicable, include communities in project
planning and implementation. Reasonable opportunities
should be provided for the communities to express
interests and to participate in the research.
4. Research results should be
explained in non-technical terms and, where feasible,
should be communicated by means of study materials that
can be used by local teachers or in displays that can be
shown at local community centers or museums.
5. Copies of research reports, data
descriptions, and other relevant materials should be
provided to the local community. Special efforts must be
made to communicate results that are responsive to local
concerns.
6. Subject to the requirements for
anonymity, publications should always refer to the
informed consent of participants and give credit to those
contributing to the research project.
7. The researcher must respect local
cultural traditions, languages, and values. The researcher
should, where practicable, incorporate the following
elements into the research design:
a. use of local and traditional
knowledge and experience;
b. use of the languages of the local
people;
c. translation of research results,
particularly those of local concern, into the languages of
the people affected by the research;
8. When possible, research projects
should anticipate and provide meaningful experience and
training for young people.
9. In cases where individuals or
groups provide information of a confidential nature, their
anonymity must be guaranteed in both the original use of
data and in its deposition for future use.
10. Research on humans should only
be undertaken in a manner that respects their privacy and
dignity:
a. Research subjects must remain
anonymous unless they have agreed to be identified. If
anonymity cannot be guaranteed, the subjects must be
informed of the possible consequences of becoming involved
in the research.
b. In cases where individuals or
groups provide information of a confidential or personal
nature, this confidentiality must be guaranteed in both
the original use of data and its deposition for future
use.
c. The rights of children must be
respected. All research involving children must be fully
justified in terms of goals and objectives and never
undertaken without the consent of the children and their
parents or legal guardians.
d. Participation of subjects,
including the use of photography in research, should
always be based on informed consent.
e. The use and deposition of human
tissue samples should always be based on the informed
consent of the subjects or next of kin.
11. The researcher is accountable
for all project decisions that affect the community,
including decisions made by subordinates.
12. All relevant federal, state and
local regulations and policies pertaining to cultural,
environmental, and health protection must be strictly
observed.
13. Sacred sites, cultural
materials, and cultural property cannot be disturbed or
removed without community and/or individual consent and in
accordance with federal and state laws and
regulations.
In implementing these principles,
researchers may find additional guidance in the
publications listed below. In addition, a number of Alaska
Native and municipal organizations can be contacted for
general information, obtaining informed consent, and
matters relating to research proposals and coordination
with Native and local interests. A separate list is
available from NSFs Office of Polar Programs.
Publications
Arctic Social Science: An Agenda
for- Action. National Academy of Sciences, Washington,
D.C., 1989.
Draft Principles for an Arctic
Policy. Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Kotzebue,
1986.
Ethics. Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada, Ottawa,
1977.
Nordic Statement of Principles and
Priorities in Arctic Research. Center for Arctic Cultural
Research, Umea, Sweden, 1989.
Policy on Research Ethics. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, Juneau, 1984.
Principles of Professional
Responsibility. Council of the American Anthropological
Association, Washington, D.C., 1971, rev. 1989.
The Ethical Principles for the
Conduct of Research in the North. The Canadian
Universities for Northern Studies, Ottawa, 1982.
The National Arctic Health Science
Policy. American Public Health Association, Washington,
D.C., 1984.
Protocol for Centers for Disease
Control/lndian Health Service Serum Bank. Prepared by
Arctic Investigations Program (CDC) and Alaska Area Native
Health Service, 1990. (Available through Alaska Area
Native Health Service, 255 Gambell Street, Anchorage, AK
99501.)
Indian Health Manual. Indian Health
Service, U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, Maryland,
1987.
Human Experimentation. Code of
Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of
Helsinki). Published in British Medical Journal, 2:177,
1964.
Protection of Human Subjects. Code
of Federal Regulations 45 CFR 46, 1974, rev. 1983.