‘With’ not ‘about’ – emerging paradigms for research in a cross-cultural space

† In this paper, the term ‘Indigenous’ is used to refer to Indigenous people globally, while the term ‘Aboriginal’ refers specifically to mainland Indigenous Australians.

Abstract

This paper will examine questions and considerations regarding research design and methodology. For researchers working within an Indigenous domain, it is important to recognize the historical legacy left by researchers of the past as well as the impact of a new generation of Indigenous researchers who are speaking back to the Academy about emerging Indigenous research paradigms. This paper will seek to locate an appropriate methodological approach for a Doctoral study within this discourse. It will explore ideas such as the post-colonial legacies of research for Indigenous people and the emergence of a generation of Indigenous researchers and how this has impacted on the choices being made around research and in particular research methodologies. It will examine what other methodologies and research processes are being proposed and used in these emerging paradigms and then attempt a careful examination of what the most appropriate type of methodology might be for research focused on the successful learning journeys of Indigenous teachers.

Keywords:

• indigenous
• research
• cross-cultural
• teacher education
• methodology

Notes

† In this paper, the term ‘Indigenous’ is used to refer to Indigenous people globally, while the term ‘Aboriginal’ refers specifically to mainland Indigenous Australians.