| Alignment with Southcentral Foundation Vision, Mission, Key Points, Goals, and Objectives |
Reference Southcentral Foundation’s key points, goals, and Family Wellness Corporate Objectives. The following examples depict research approaches with strong alignment:
Research on problems and issues of special interest to the Alaska Native community, namely the Family Wellness Corporate Objectives. Research designed to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of current health practices and processes. Research with the intended use of improving health and systems of care. Research using a community-based participatory research approach or methods.
Research emphasizing wellness and multiple dimensions of health. In addition, the potential benefits and harms are carefully considered as well as the overall importance of the project. Southcentral Foundation works to ensure customer-owners are not overly researched as a population without commensurate benefit and views the time and energy devoted to research as a valuable and limited resource.
Is this important? Do the results matter? (So what?) To whom? Are risks to Alaska Native people considered and sufficiently addressed? How will Alaska Native people benefit? Are the benefits accurately described? Are Alaska Native people being used as test subjects without visible benefit? What are you (investigators) planning to do with the information? (Propose new treatments? New diagnostic practices?) Is there likely to be financial benefit from this research? To whom? How are Southcentral Foundation employees and programs which may be impacted by the research involved in the design? Is the effort a good use of Southcentral Foundation and Alaska Native Medical Center resources?
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| Quality of Research Design |
Is the design of the study clearly described? Are all the important variables included? Are strengths/protective factors considered in addition to pathology/risks? Are there valid comparisons or controls where appropriate? Are there enough people in the study to show significant results? Do the authors limit their conclusions to the group studied? Are limitations acknowledged and described? Have statistical tests been used when appropriate? Are there enough data and are the data clearly represented? Are consent forms and recruitment materials clearly written? What is the source of funding? How will results be applied and shared? How will Alaska Native/American Indian people learn about the results?
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| Depiction and Involvement of Alaska Native People |
Are Alaska Native people depicted in an inaccurate or stigmatizing light? Are there racial stereotyping or generalizations? Are Alaska Native people described in a paternalistic manner? Is the language regarding tribal affiliations appropriate? How are Alaska Native people involved in the design of the study? Are the contributions of Alaska Native researchers recognized? Does the investigative team include individuals who have worked with Alaska Native/American Indian people? Here are some specific examples of preferred language uses:
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| We like to see: |
Rather than: |
| Alaska Native people |
Natives * |
| Bacterium or virus |
germs |
| Alutiiq, Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Yup’ik, Inupiaq, Athabascan, Eyak, Unangax |
Eskimo, Indian, Aleut |
| Topical Areas Considered Sensitive |
Descriptions of alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, suicide, sexual behavior Specific cultural issues including death and dying, treatment of elders, and historical customs Research involving youth
Researchers must undergo background checks and finger printing Southcentral Foundation Board of Directors will be sensitive to anything involving child abuse or sexual behaviors Parental consent and youth assent will be obtained.
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