Final Report: Strengthening Community Research in ... - Ninti One

6. Project outputs6.1 Development of skilled Aboriginal community researchersThe results of this part of the work have exceeded our expectations in the sense that a greater number of researchershave been trained than were envisaged at the outset. As described in sections 1.3., 1.4. and 3.2., twelve researchersworked in the Ntaria team as opposed to the four–six that were originally included in planning for the project.While the quantitative measure of progress is good, the quality is equally important. Many of the individual researchershave taken on the work in a way that has demonstrated tapped potential within themselves and in the community. Withsuitable oversight from Judy Lovell, as the Senior Researcher, their contributions to the entire research cycle have beenessential to the results achieved. This includes advice on every aspect of the work, including the physical settings inwhich surveys and focus groups should take place, the form of questioning, the sample methods, approaches toanalysing the material produced and, most significantly, extensive work to interpret information collected. This processof interpretation required researchers to work out, for example, the background to comments made by respondents tosurveys, or to pick up trends in data coming from different places, or to determine what people meant by unexpectedresponses to questions. This work required a depth of local knowledge and understanding that was a real strength ofthe work of the team.In essence, the development of skilled Aboriginal community researchers harnessed their existing skills and knowledgein the service of the project. But it also located this knowledge within established social research methods for whichthey were trained by Ninti One. This combination was the basis for the achievements of the research team.6.2 High-quality research contributions to the RSDWe believe that standards of quality required by Ninti One in all its work were also attained through the Ntaria project.The evidence is contained within this report.The design of the research, the qualities of the individual researchers, the research methods and processes used in theproject and the analysis of the data have led to a set of findings that represent new knowledge of high quality andrelevance to the RSD. This knowledge is available through the LIP and the work of Wurla Nyinta as well as thesubmission of this report to FaHCSIA.6.3 Enhanced community contributions and participation in the strategicplanning, implementation of and future capacity to contribute to monitoringand evaluation of the RSDThe extent to which community-based research has so far become integrated into processes for reviewing progress ofthe LIP at Ntaria is encouraging. This speaks well for the local capacity to conduct research in a focused and practicalmanner that has been developed through the project.Of course, the positive impact of research is only as effective as the decision-making processes to which it contributes,which are usually beyond the influence of researchers. An important step forward would be for research to be seen as akey element of a process of planning and development into the longer term.6.4 An outline model of local research, documented for potential use bygovernment agencies and other communitiesThe content of this report represents a model of research that has the following components: