Considerations for relational research methods for use in Indigenous contexts: implications for sustainable development

Figures & data

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram.

Table 1. Summary of the five key features that reflect a relational approach to research in Indigenous settings.

Feature	Definition	Example Actions
Collaboration	Researchers work with and alongside Indigenous peoples to build community engagement, respect, and trust.	Involve Indigenous peoples in the research process, from early planning to data collection, analysis and dissemination of findings.
Trusting and reciprocal relationships	Researchers engage Indigenous peoples to establish and retain trust with communities that have historically distrusted research institutions. This helps in supporting a mutually beneficial relationship.	Offer time, efforts, skills and relevant resources to the Indigenous community.
Flexibility	Researchers modify and adjust their research as necessitated by their local populations to ensure that the community has power and agency over the research process.	Use of unstructured interviewing and narrative techniques.
Relational data	Relational data provides a framework to analyse Indigenous peoples’ kinship, networks, and knowledge sharing.	Use of social network questionnaires.
Reflexivity	Researchers examine their own judgements, assumptions, and actions throughout the research process.	Active dialogues with Indigenous communities about the research process.