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Indigenous research methods

Depending on whether a project seeks to collect quantitative data, qualitative data, or both, and in consultation with the community or organization, there are various types of methods that could be used for data collection.

Examples of qualitative data collection methods

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  • Talking Circles are used throughout a variety of different cultures and can be adapted as a research method. Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle at the University of Toronto, Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research presents considerations and possibilities for using the Talking Circle Method in this video .
  • is a fun, interactive community approach to hosting large group conversations. Guided by seven design principles, the World Café method can be adapted to many different contexts. Access this [PDF -Ìý494 KB]
  • The Research Impact Canada online course module offers content that speaks to ethical and inclusive ways to include stories and narratives.
  • The article Ìý (Hayward et al, 2021), examines the importance of decolonizing and indigenizing quantitative research methods.

Resources

  • : A framework, developed by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall. Etuaptmumk incorporates both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing.Ìý
  • by Shawn Wilson
  • with Prof. Linda Tuhiwai Smith
  • Ìýfeaturing panelists Dr. Bagele Chilisa and Dr. Deborah McGregor. Hosted by SAGE Publishing (2020).
  • Ìýhosted by SFU’s Community Engaged Research Initiative (2021).

  • TheÌýÌýprovides links to sources for articles, books, documents, websites and other resources related to Canadian Indigenous history, socioeconomic and health issues, and cultural studies.
  • Absolon. (2011).ÌýKaandossiwin: how we come to know. Fernwood.
  • Chilisa, B. (2012).ÌýIndigenous research methodologies. SAGE Publications.
  • Decolonizing research: Indigenous storywork as methodologyÌý(J.-A. Archibald & J. Lee-Morgan, Eds.). ZED Books LTD.
  • Kovach, M. (2009).ÌýIndigenous methodologies: characteristics, conversations, and contexts. University of Toronto Press.
  • McGregor, D., Restoule, J.-P., & Johnston, R. (2018).ÌýIndigenous research: theories, practices, and relationshipsÌý(McGregor, J.-P. Restoule, & R. Johnston, Eds.). Canadian Scholars.
  • Smith, L. T. (2021)ÌýDecolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. London, United Kingdom: Zed Books.
  • Wilson, Shawn. (2008).ÌýResearch Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods.

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