Culturally safe research with vulnerable populations

Abstract

Culturally safe research processes, methodologies, and mutually aligned research endeavours are a fundamental right of those being researched. Vulnerable populations are at risk of experiencing inequalities in health experiences and health outcomes, and research beneficial to those being researched is crucial to address disparities. Often vulnerable populations are exposed to research that is driven by dominant epistemologies, research methodologies, and socio-cultural lenses that can exacerbate their vulnerability, negating their socio-cultural reality. In this paper it is contended that researchers should review the way in which research is constructed and developed by creating a culturally safe space for research to occur with those who are vulnerable. A framework based on partnership, participation, protection, and power is presented as a way of creating culturally safe research.