Conversational Method in Indigenous Research1

Abstract

In reflecting upon two qualitative research projects incorporating an Indigenous methodology, this article focuses on the use of the conversational method as a means for gathering knowledge through story. The article first provides a theoretical discussion which illustrates that for the conversational method to be identified as an Indigenous research method it must flow from an Indigenous paradigm. The article then moves to an exploration of the conversational method in action and offers reflections on the significance of researcher-in-relation and the inter-relationship between this method, ethics, and care.

Healthy Smile, Happy Child: partnering with Manitoba First Nations and Metis communities for better early childhood oral health

“…Respectful research should also keep the entire process straightforward and relatable for community participants (Maar et al, 2011). As participants indicated, the study needs to be relevant, transparent and speak of the needs of the peoples concerned, understanding that many Indigenous peoples operate within a worldview that is geared towards interconnectedness and implementation (Bessarab & Ng’andu, 2010; Kovach, 2010), in which knowledge is rarely generated just for the sake of it, but should be used to advance clearly defined well-being and advancement goals.…”

“…Conducive to research with Indigenous populations are relational approaches that involve explorative and solutions seeking communication between researchers and participants (Kovach, 2010). Such approaches also lend themselves to open-ended conversation formats that pose the intended questions and invite participants to engage with the questions broadly in providing responses.…”

“I see my ancestors”: exploring tribal college student experiences playing When Rivers Were Trails

“…Specifically, storywork focuses on participants' own words when gathering and understanding stories (Archibald, 2008a(Archibald, , 2008b. In the context of reflections on gameplay, storywork is layered, because participants weave back and forth between their personal lived experiences (Kovach, 2009(Kovach, , 2010, their memories of historical stories told to them by family and community members (Benham, 2007), and their experiential stories of the video game as they identify with the characters (Klimmt et al, 2010;Patridge, 2017).…”

“…Phenomenological interviews were selected because they provided a more meaningful way of understanding the player's gaming experience. These interviews are conducted in a conversational way, focusing more on open-ended discussion rather than prescribed questioning (Kovach, 2009(Kovach, , 2010. Done this way, phenomenological interviews, in alignment with Indigenous methodologies of conversation and tradition, place the interviewer and the participant on the same level rather than keeping the tone of a more traditional hierarchical interviewer/interviewee relationship (Smith, 2012).…”

Ancestral leadership: Place-based intergenerational leadership

“…Semi-structured interviews were conducted as 'conversations' (Kovach, 2009(Kovach, , 2010 with each of the participants interpreting the questions differently. The interviews were conducted over the phone and in-person in a range of locations including the participants' homes, papak ainga, places of work and at the University of Auckland where the first author completed her post-graduate studies.…”