Indigenous and decolonizing research methodology

Indigenous research and decolonizing research methodology
This chapter presents an introduction to alternative approaches to research based on indigenous worldviews and knowledge. This approach also emphasises decolonizing research methods which are developed from a Eurocentric view of the world. It argues for the urgent need to apply methods that are meaningful to non-Euro-western people as part of mental decolonization and liberation. When research is conducted from a Euro-western perspective it privileges a single worldview and ignores and marginalizes others. How research is designed implemented and interpreted and who has a say in these processes have a bearing on the outcome. An indigenous and decolonizing paradigm prioritises collective identity, sharing of knowledge, respect of people’s history, culture, spirituality and relationships as seen from their perspective. It is concluded that while the indigenous and decolonizing methodology is still evolving, there is a rich body work that attests to its viability.