Maori responsiveness in health and medical research: clarifying the roles of the researcher and the institution (part 2).

INTRODUCTION

The combination of the Health Research Council's Guidelines for researchers on health research involving Maori and the 1998 revision of the National application form for ethical approval generated an expectation that all research development required consultation with Maori.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This paper clarifies issues of consultation for health researchers in two ways. Firstly, the historical development of the focus on the Maori research responsiveness is outlined. Secondly, we argue that research institutions, rather than researchers, need to take a lead role in consulting on research issues with Maori organisations.

CONCLUSIONS

Consultation with Maori at the institutional level could help clarify and address key ethical issues in research--while reducing the workload for researchers, Maori organisations, and host institutions alike.