International Research Content and Implications

The conduct of research anywhere requires close attention to and respect for persons, beneficence, justice, respect for the community, and an overarching commitment to caring in the context of the local culture.  Operationalizing a research project across cultures may present unique challenges to these foundational imperatives. Using a successful research study operationalized in the summer of 2012 in Nepal as a case study, the issues of proposal development, informed consent, and conducting the study across cultures, will be discussed.   Rules of the road, including ethical mandates and practical considerations, for conducting international research will be outlined and the issue of sustainability will be addressed. Lastly, Fulbright awards as one opportunity for international research collaborations will be put forward.