Rivers of Knowledge: Developing Culturally and Socially Responsive/able Research Methodologies

• In Event: Roundtable Session 60
  In Roundtable Session: Pilialoha: Capacity Building

Abstract

An international team of scholars offer an approach to do more than challenge the Western paradigm, rather to develop CRSR methodologies. Methodologies such as these require us to develop balanced relationships that may enable us to intimately come to respect, know, and connect in partnership with research participants and communities. This may only begin to happen when we understand our responsibilities to these connections. Such a stance challenges traditional research notions of distance and neutrality, opening up instead streams of research that call for engagement through the establishment of relational discourses.

The papers are connected through the use of a river analogy, which emphasizes the dynamic and organic nature of this work. The interrelated responses to this analogy also serve to remind us that current ways of researching have left their mark on the landscape of life for generations, leaving different groups feeling either supported or challenged. Personal positioning within the river has enabled us to metaphorically/consciously interrogate their ways of engaging as researchers. As well as linking the papers together, these position statements are used to introduce, or reflect on our new understandings and respectfully endeavor to enhance and reshape the river so that it works for more of the communities that we represent.

This symposium offers ontology not framed from western traditions. Using reflexivity, criticality, and other epistemological links, the authors become methodological negotiators who re-conceptualize their methodology and methods specific to the context and participants with whom we are working. We demonstrate ways of unlearning mainstream or western methods to challenge unexamined assumptions in research methods. We believe this symposium can contribute a more respectful and humble way of working with all peoples.

Authors

• Jocelyn Esquer, Chapman University

• Mere Berryman, University of Waikato

• Melanie M. Kamae, Chapman University

• Ndindi Kitonga, Chapman University