Process of Conducting Research Projects on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona - Introduction

Sep 26, 2026

Guidance outlines a research protocol for conducting studies on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona with ethical and culturally sensitive practices. It explains that researchers must treat the territory as sovereign, learn specific tribal requirements, obtain written approval, and never proceed on verbal consent alone. It details Informed Consent as an ongoing communication process, listing required consent statements and consent form elements, and presents committee-based procedures for natural resources versus health and welfare research, including approvals and required signatures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Procedures for Conducting Research on the San Carlos Apache Reservation

Natural resources research oversight

Health and welfare research oversight

Informed Consent requirements

ARIZONA COOPERATIVE E TENSION College of Agriculture and Life Sciences AZ1475 10/08 Process of Conducting Research Projects on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona Introduction Conducting research on Native American Reservation lands demands a unique protocol that prospective researchers need to understand and respect in order to proceed in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner. First, and foremost, researchers must recognize that they are working on sovereign lands and that cultural and legal issues may be very different than that of their own upbringing and background. Approval of research proposals will vary depending upon the Tribe or Nation on whose territory the research will be conducted; therefore, researchers must become informed about the requirements in place on their specific Reservation of interest. In some cases, a letter from the Tribal Council maybe sufficient. In others, the approval of a tribal Institutional Review Board (IRB) may be required. No research should be conducted based on verbal approval from one individual. The researcher must insure that the appropriate Tribal representative or group has issued approval, in writing, before proceeding with any research activities. All Research that involves Tribal individuals must incorporate an ‘Informed Consent’ form. Informed Consent should be considered an ongoing process that drives open and honest communication between the researcher and the subject throughout the term of the research. The form should be written in language that is easily understood by the subject to insure that the subject fully understands what he is signing. It must include specific statements covering: • The volunteer nature of the subject’s participation • The project purpose • Selection criteria for subjects • Duration of subject participation • Research procedures • Risks and benefits to the subject • Confidentiality measures • Participation Costs and Subject Compensation • Project Contacts • Liability Guidelines and examples of this form can be found atthe University of Arizona site: [http://www.publichealth](http://www.publichealth). [arizona.edu/StudentResources/Documents/HIPAAFAQs](arizona.edu/StudentResources/Documents/HIPAAFAQs). swf/. Other universities have similar sites with Consent Form information. A federal checklist for consent forms can be found at: [http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/](http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/)[ ](http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/)[assurance/consentckls.htm. Creation and use of an Informed](assurance/consentckls.htm. Creation and use of an Informed)[ ](assurance/consentckls.htm. Creation and use of an Informed)Consent form is a crucial step that must be undertaken prior to engaging Tribal members in research projects that affect individuals. Procedures for Conducting Research on the San Carlos Apache Reservation Two different procedures exist for conducting research on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, depending upon the subject matter of the research. If the research concerns natural resources of any type, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and the Tribal Natural Resources Committee will oversee the project. If the research concerns health and welfare issues, including all issues not related to natural resources, the Tribal Health and Welfare Committee will oversee the project. The Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by The University of Arizona. San Carlos Apache Tribe Intellectual Property Rights for Research Projects document states: • “The intent of the Intellectual Property Policy is to provide for a mechanism for bringing tribal intellectual property into the public realm and to promote utilization of such property for the public benefit.”(p. 2) • “The objective of this policy is to safeguard the interestsand sovereignty of the Tribe by establishing a mechanism for

FAQs

Why is a special protocol required for research on the San Carlos Apache Reservation?

Because research on tribal sovereign lands requires unique cultural and legal considerations. Researchers must proceed ethically and respectfully by following the tribe-specific requirements for their research.

What approvals are required before conducting any research?

Approval varies by the Tribe or Nation and may require documentation from a Tribal Council or an IRB. Research must not begin based on verbal approval from a single individual; written approval from the appropriate tribal representative or group is required.

What must be included in an Informed Consent form?

The consent form must be written in language the subject can easily understand and should cover volunteer participation, project purpose, selection criteria, duration, procedures, risks and benefits, confidentiality, participation costs and compensation, project contacts, and liability.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Wilson