Lessons From the Participants in Decolonising Research

Abstract

This paper reflects on research undertaken as part of a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on the restoration of contemporary Aboriginal men's dignity. These reflections centre on how the research participants began to train this researcher in decolonising research practices. Personal discovery and growth, as well as developing strong, ethical and reciprocal relationships, are core to doing decolonising research. Yarning as methodology and art as a method of communicating research are presented as ways of building such relationships and promoting personal transformation in research. Key lessons from this research are shared and demonstrate that for this researcher, the greatest act of decolonising research started with addressing his own mindset, which led to the realisation that Indigenous Australia no longer wishes to be studied or seen as requiring someone to lift them up.

Fire and Smoke: Using Indigenous Research Methodologies to Explore the Psychosocial Impact of Pediatric Burns on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families

“…Member checking is arguably not required for grounded theory methods due to the iterative process of concurrent data collection and analysis (Birks & Mills, 2011). However, this process is important in Indigenous research methodologies to ensure participants maintain autonomy over their participation and data (Barlo, 2017). Therefore, participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback on their transcripts and data via email and/or phone.…”

“…It is imperative that studies such as ours uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' autonomy and control throughout the research process (Barlo, 2017). All participants were provided with written and verbal information about their involvement and specific data use.…”

“…Yarning is an Aboriginal oral tradition and communication tool that has been used to share Indigenous knowledge systems for thousands of years (Barlo, 2017; Dean, 2010). Dawn Bessarab and Bridget Ng’andu formalized this communication style as a research method that is similar to in-depth interviewing but situated within Indigenous research methodologies and embodies practices developed by Indigenous Elders and Indigenous knowledge systems (Barlo, 2017; Bessarab & Ng’andu, 2010; Roe et al, 2012).…”

“…Yarning is an Aboriginal oral tradition and communication tool that has been used to share Indigenous knowledge systems for thousands of years (Barlo, 2017; Dean, 2010). Dawn Bessarab and Bridget Ng’andu formalized this communication style as a research method that is similar to in-depth interviewing but situated within Indigenous research methodologies and embodies practices developed by Indigenous Elders and Indigenous knowledge systems (Barlo, 2017; Bessarab & Ng’andu, 2010; Roe et al, 2012). Bessarab and Ng’andu describe this process as “an informal and relaxed discussion through which both the researcher and participant journey together visiting places and topics of interest relevant to the research study” (Bessarab & Ng’andu, 2010).…”

Ngapartji ngapartji ninti and koorliny karnya quoppa katitjin (Respectful and ethical research in central Australia and the south west)

“…In part, writing as a dialogue reflects the critical part that gnulla wangkiny in Noongar or nganana tjunguringkula waakaripai in Pitjantjatjara ("we go along talking and yarning together") plays in Indigenous Australian communities. It also reflects our desire to more honestly demonstrate the value of "yarning" (Bessarab & Ng'andu, 2010;Barlo, 2017).…”