It ensures that sensitive information remains secret and that the researcher presents acceptable information correctly. In actuality, many Indians do know more about the topic than the researcher, although the former may not have completed high school. Not enough researchers ask for Indians' input anyway and their studies could be improved if they did. The researcher must follow the guidelines for each new project. Just because a researcher had a fruitful experience with one tribe does not mean the next tribe will welcome him or her with open arms.
All tribes are different.
Where some welcome research, others view it as violating their privacy and the sanctity of their traditions. Many tribes have indeed been exploited. Failure to respect Indians' wishes concerning research could hamper the plans of future researchers. Establishing guidelines for academic research is not easy. The five of us spent over a year gathering the conduct standards and ethics statements of various disciplines.