Pacific research frameworks at the HRC

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Pacific research frameworks at the HRC

Introduction

The Pacific Peoples Expert Panel developed Pacific research frameworks at the HRC criteria and recommended that the HRC use the ‘Relevance and Governance' criteria to assess all proposals that aim to advance the health of Pacific people.

Pacific Relevance

Research classified as Pacific Relevance will be significant to the Pacific community and will aim to improve Pacific health outcomes and will add to the general body of Pacific health research knowledge. Pacific relevance research will usually be led by non-Pacific researchers, although there may be junior Pacific health researchers on the team. While it will involve research that addresses a priority Pacific health area, in terms of ownership of the research, Relevance research cannot be classified as ‘by Pacific for Pacific'.

Pacific Relevance research will involve some Pacific participants, usually a significant Pacific cohort, that will allow for ethnic specific analysis of data. It might for example, make statistically significant comparisons between Pacific data and data sourced from other population groups.

A Pacific Relevance research project will demonstrate effective consultation with appropriate Pacific representatives. This may include the participation or training of junior Pacific research team members, or an advisory appointment of a senior Pacific consultant.

In recognition of the Pacific component of the research, Pacific Relevance research will modify and adjust standard research practice to ensure cultural safety and cultural competence. Pacific Relevance research can be defined as research that is relevant to the Pacific community and is appropriately responsive to that community.

Pacific Governance

Pacific Governance is best described as research that is Pacific-led. Pacific Governance research is clearly owned, driven and directed by Pacific peoples. Pacific Governance research requires the active participation of Pacific peoples as agents of research. Pacific people are not limited to having the role of research participants and/or potential end-users.

It is envisaged that Pacific Governance research will tackle many different Pacific health challenges on many different levels. It will aim to improve health outcomes, but it will also aim to build and strengthen the capacity and capability of the Pacific health research workforce.

Pacific Governance research will contribute significantly to the body of knowledge generated ‘by Pacific, for Pacific'. Pacific research methodologies, frameworks, paradigms, and models will be developed. Pacific Governance research will actively seek to use and develop Pacific approaches to research.

As Pacific Governance research builds the research capacity of the Pacific community, ideally Pacific people will gain formal research qualifications through the funding of the research project.

The concept of Pacific Governance research is linked to principles of self-determination and autonomy. Fostering the development of Pacific Governance research acknowledges the intrinsic value of research being owned and undertaken by the community from which it draws.

With Pacific Governance research, high-level consultation and direction should be provided through the research team, as well as establishing infrastructure to facilitate ongoing consultation with Pacific community representatives. This is often achieved through the establishment of advisory committees.

Pacific Governance research is funded from the ‘Health and Independence of Population Groups' portfolio. A special nexus for Pacific-led research has been created in this portfolio. Health and Independence of Population Groups portfolio strategy HIPG strategy.pdf

Pacific Partnership Research

Since establishing the Pacific Relevance/Governance framework, research has emerged that does not fit neatly into either category. This research is ground breaking in that it goes far beyond meeting the minimum responsiveness required for Pacific relevance, however, because it is not ‘by Pacific for Pacific', it cannot theoretically be classified as Pacific Governance research. Pacific Partnership research sits between the two polarized descriptors on the research classification spectrum. Partnership research deeply engages the Pacific community and significantly goes a step further by sharing leadership of research projects.

The relevant sections of the portfolio strategy are documented below.

It was recommended by the Pacific Peoples Health Expert Panel that the HRC should articulate the need to advance research towards the Governance level outlined in (Figure 1).

Pacific Relevance and Governance Spectrum

Figure 1. Pacific Health Criteria of Relevance

Pacific Health Criteria of Relevance.

The diagram above illustrates the spectrum between Pacific Relevance and Governance and provides a contextual overview. It was recognised by the HRC that in order to use the Pacific Governance and Relevance criteria effectively as measurement tools for research, the categories of Relevance and Governance must be more comprehensively articulated to ensure clarity and accuracy of measurement.

The Pacific Peoples Health Expert Panel came up with a table that could be used operationally to determine whether a research project can be classified as having Pacific Relevance or Pacific Governance (see Table 1). Please note that many research projects meet neither Pacific Relevance or Pacific Governance criteria and are deemed as not applicable.

Table 1. Measuring Research as Pacific Relevance or Pacific Governance

N.A RELEVANCE GOVERNANCE

Consultation None Demonstrated consultation Onogoing consultation (infrastructure)

Participants None Pacific Cohort Pacific prioirty population

Researchers None Pacific researcher on team Pacific-led (first named investigator)

Data design and analysis Standard Pacific specific considerations re: design and analysis Pacific frameworks, models, methodologies re: design and analysis of datad

Capacity building opportunities None Training opportunities e.g training Pacific interviewers Pacific formal post-graduate qualification

Dissemination No effort Adequate dissemination to Pacific communities Outstanding, culturally appropriate, targeted and effective dissemination

The classifications in Table 1 are not to be used rigidly, but as a comparative tool, in order to encourage a high level of responsiveness to the Pacific population. At all times, where it is possible, the highest level of responsiveness is encouraged and Pacific Governance standards of consultation, dissemination, capacity building, research design and analysis are set at a level of responsiveness all researchers can aspire to.

Last Updated : 02 May 2005 04:16:08.
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