NWT Research Process

Step 1: Develop Research Idea

  • Researcher develops research proposal or idea.

  • Researcher reviews process maps, relevant legislation and policies, relevant regional organizations and licensing requirements to develop their proposal or idea.

Step 2: Connect with Hotıì ts'eeda

  • Researcher connects with Hotıì ts’eeda for help with planning and understanding the process.

Step 3: Work with Hotıì ts'eeda

  • Hotıì ts’eeda assists the researcher with processes, engagement, knowledge transfer and research methods.
  • Hotıì ts’eeda reviews the research proposal and makes suggestions regarding budget, partnerships, knowledge translation and how the research could support community priorities and capacity building.
  • When appropriate, Hotıì ts’eeda connects the researcher to relevant partners for input and participation.

Step 4: Connect with Partners

  • Researcher communicates with relevant organizations and provides research proposal for review. Relevant partners could include:
    • Indigenous Organizations: Research in the NWT requires meaningful partnerships with regional Indigenous organizations. Several organizations have stated research protocols and priorities as well as dedicated research support staff.
    • Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services: Research that uses medical data records or time in hospitals requires a review under the Health Information Act and a research agreement with the hospitals. This process is coordinated through the Department of Health and Social Services Research Coordinator and can be supported by Hotıì ts’eeda.
    • Other Organizations: Other organizations may include community groups, health-related organizations or other groups with relevant interests.
  • Partners review the research proposal.

Step 5: Partners Provide Feedback

  • Consulted organizations provide feedback, suggestions, decisions and other relevant information about the research plan to the researcher.
  • Consulted organizations communicate with the researcher to determine their level of involvement in the project.
  • Partners may provide letters of support.

Step 6: Update Research Plan

  • Researcher uses feedback to revise research plan.
  • Researcher continues to develop partnerships with stakeholders.
  • Researcher gathers letters of support.
  • Researcher prepares applications for licensing and ethics.

Step 7: Research Application is Reviewed

  • Aurora Research Institute reviews the application through its internal licensing process. This step may include:
    • Contacting regional health authorities,
    • Sending the proposal to relevant Government of the Northwest Territories departments,
    • Sending the proposal to any other organizations that might be impacted or involved (the researcher should have already been in touch with those organizations).
  • After the review, the Aurora Research Institute notifies the researcher of decision. If declined, the researcher can revise their application and resubmit.

Step 8: Research Team Conducts Research and Shares Knowledge

  • Researcher finalizes research plan and conducts research project.
  • During the project, the researcher shares results and knowledge with the community as per their agreements, ongoing community input and knowledge translation plan.
  • After research is completed, the researcher continues to share knowledge, publications and all other products from the project with community partners.