SPEaR Good Practice Guidelines 2008: Principles: Respect

Respect

Relationships between all stakeholders in social sector research should be based on respect for the inherent value of each contributor (be they researcher, contractor, policy manager, project manager or participant) and the skills, experience and knowledge each person brings to the research and evaluation process.

Rationale

Ethical, professional, robust research and evaluation requires the development and maintenance of respectful relationships with contractors, officials and participants. Developing respectful relationships requires government practitioners to recognise that participants (including contractors, government/public sector stakeholders, or community participants) have experience, knowledge and expertise that can inform and enhance their research and evaluation activities. Respectful research and evaluation activity requires officials to make genuine attempts to understand and honour the cultural beliefs and practices of participants and the knowledge they impart during the research process. Respectful R & E includes checking existing information and data before deciding to collect new data and it means only collecting information that is relevant to the research objectives, so as not to increase respondent burden or 'research fatigue'.

Anticipated benefits from operating with respect include:

increased likelihood of input by experienced, knowledgeable stakeholders into the design, delivery and dissemination of R & E
enhanced technical development of R & E methodologies
enhanced contractor commitment to R & E projects
enhanced participant commitment to R & E activities
enhanced quality of R & E design and R & E activity
enhanced improvement in cultural appropriateness of social sector research and evaluation activity, including analysis and reporting
increased value of social sector research and evaluation information and activity to decision makers, policy development and service delivery
increased respect for government processes.