The International Cooperative Research Group

Our goal is to increase effective international cooperative development through knowledge-based enhancement of impact and increased uptake of cooperative business models in locally led development. ICRG demands ethical conduct from ICRG staff and research partners throughout the entire lifecycle of our research projects. ICRG follows standard practices for ethical research, including protections for human subjects. We require IRB as well as local ethics and government approvals before beginning and throughout the research process. This inculcates a culture of ethical reflection, intentionality, debate, and mutual learning.

ICRG designs, directly undertakes, and partners with academic and practitioner partners to carry out rigorous research that helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice, embodying a “do no harm” ethos. ICRG also fosters a learning community within OCDC and provides resources and information related to cooperative development to the international cooperative and development community. Research translation techniques as embodied in research for development, stakeholder engagement, and varied approaches to dissemination are integral to the ICRG’s research approach.

Compensating research participants for their participation is a common and generally acceptable practice. Whether and how to compensate research participants is a decision the ICRG makes based on the research design and ethical considerations, and in consultation with independent reviewers and local partners. ICRG-affiliated researchers, research organizations, and research partners must strike a balance between ensuring no exploitation exists, while also not overcompensating in a way that creates undue influence.

ICRG is committed to ethical and responsible research practices. We recognize the need to balance 1. the usefulness of and access to data, 2. the privacy and security of research subjects, and 3. transparency and accountability in the research process. ICRG endeavors to enhance the transparency and dissemination of cooperative research while protecting the security of data and the privacy of participants. ICRG requires responsible data management at every stage of the research cycle.