Permissions

What formal permissions might you require in the course of your research? This will vary considerably with individual projects, but it is important to identify them early. The permissions process can be lengthy, and it needs to be built into your planning and scheduling.

The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of examples of permissions that may be required:
A private landowner’s permission to access their property
Permit from National Parks and Wildlife Service or other government agency to access lands/waterways/seas and/or collect specimens
Permit from Aboriginal landowners to undertake research on Aboriginal land
Permit from a Museum to undertake research on their collections
Negotiation with Aboriginal traditional owners to research culturally sensitive material
Permission from government agency to access archival data and/or confidential material
Copyright permissions for reproduction of material

In many cases the granting of such permissions will be conditional. You may for example be expected to provide a report summarising your research findings, or a copy of your thesis, to the relevant stakeholders. (See also ETHICS)

Next: Risk assessment

Last reviewed: 22 December, 2009