Emphasizing indigenous communities in social work research ethics

Abstract

This article questions whether the development of Sámi social work could benefit from a greater emphasis on communities in research ethics. Using experience from a comparative research project carried out in indigenous communities in Norway and the United States, we discuss (1) the advantages and challenges associated with the institutionalization of research ethics and (2) the consequences for our research design resulting from dialogue with the ethical committees. We conclude that Sámi social work would benefit from more emphasis on external ethical validation. We call for a debate among social workers and researchers on community involvement in social work research.