Developing ethical research practices between institutional and community partners: A look at the current base of literature surrounding memorandums of understanding in Canada

Abstract

Few institutionalized examples exist wherein Indigenous communities have participated in the codevelopment of ethics initiatives. This article explores one such process-the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). A MOU is a document created between institutional and community research partners to outline project guidelines. Based on Canadian MOUs developed between 1980 and 2016, this research has four objectives; (a) to describe current trends of MOU use and recognition in research; (b) to describe the challenges of collaborative research and how MOUs might mitigate them; (c) to understand if a standard MOU is feasible; and (d) to offer policy suggesting for implementing MOUs. Local MOUs mark a way for engaging in good research practices that actually benefit the involved community.