Indigenous Research Methodologies

by Bagele Chilisa

Responding to increased emphasis in the classroom and the field on exposing students to diverse epistemologies, methods, and methodologies, Bagele Chilisa has written the first textbook that situates research in a larger, historical, cultural, and global context. With case studies from around the world, the book demonstrates the specific methodologies that are commensurate with the transformative paradigm of research and the historical and cultural traditions of third-world and indigenous peoples.

Genres: Research, Indigenous, Science, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2011

Reviews

[Tarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bangarang book- 100% recommend this book to ANYone doing research in any field-- and basically anyone vaguely interested in research methodologies, or in decolonizing methodologies. Just a FANTASTIC resource, both in terms of intellectually (meta-questions) AND direct practice questions. Thoughtful and useful. LOVE.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not everyday that you get to read a great textbook written by an African author in university, mainly due to the colonial history of research, which is discussed in this book. This textbook problematizes hegemonic Western research methodologies, which have controlled and dictated the way we conduct research, disseminate findings and write; and encourages researchers to acknowledge and recognize different ways of knowing, specially those of the formerly colonized, historically marginalized, and oppressed groups, which today are often represented as the Other. Euro-Western methodologies have systemically excluded the knowledge production of the Other and Chilisa lays down the practical, methodological and theoretical grounds for conducting research rooted in the experience and knowledge of the colonized Other. She argues for the legitimacy of different ways of knowing that may challenge Western and normalized notions. Indigenous Research Methodologies is clear, organized, accessible, well-written, engaging, and inspirational. It will make you a more aware, more conscientious and better researcher.

[Tim Budge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not necessarily an easy book to read and a bit repetitive in places (or circular to use her term for how indigenous knowledge is built or created). But a great insight into a different way of doing research, one that acknowledges both the huge injustice done by colonialism (even now in the academic world) as well as the riches of knowledge that is there if we were open to indigenous knowledge systems. Should be compulsory for anyone doing in research, monitoring or evaluation work in a different cultural setting.

[Paige]

Read it my masters program. For me it was kind of repetitive of other things we had read in the program previously and concurrently. Probably just look at other people's reviews. I did not love reading this book but that was more the setting I was in than the content of the book; I agree with other five star reviews here. It has good stuff.

[Nicole]

Thesis read

[Mills College Library]

305.80072 C5379 2012