Using indigenous kaupapa Māori research methodology with constructivist grounded theory: generating a theoretical explanation of indigenous womens realities

Abstract

In this paper, we use research with Indigenous Māori women to explain the research interface to bring together Indigenous and Euro-Western ways of knowing. Our research required using an Indigenous research methodology that drew on traditional cultural knowledge with embedded critical and decolonisation theories to understand this often-marginalised group of Indigenous women. Constructivist grounded theory provided a systematic and rigorous approach to generating theory. Because of the unique histories of colonisation and contemporary realities resulting in Indigenous women's marginalisation, globally, we argue research must be relevant, safe, and meaningful to those researched to produce transformative knowledge. Therefore, planning a research methodology to inform research with Indigenous women that counters current unhelpful constructions required careful consideration. We share how we used kaupapa Māori research methodology and constructivist grounded theory to generate an explanation of how Māori women keep safe in unsafe relationships.

Integrating Knowledge and Action: Learnings from an implementation program for food security and food sovereignty with First Nations communities in Canada

“…They present opportunities to advance KT through a participatory process between communities and researchers to plan and implement community priorities for action that promote capacity building and equitable partnerships. These principles offer guidance on decolonizing research practices by promoting relationships, centring self-determination, prioritizing integration of community knowledge, and embracing re exivity (1,3,(51)(52)(53)(54). In addition, the proposed principles can be used in conjunction with implementation models or frameworks such as ABLe Change and the KTA cycle [5,24] to support considerations for centring Indigenous voices in iterative planning and can strengthen collaborative action.…”

Decolonising research approaches towards non-extractive research

“…Concerning “social hostage” as non-extractive approach, Kouritzin and Nakagawa (2018) maintained that research participants and communities’ well-beings must be protected, their futures safe from harm and their participant must be voluntary. The notion of engaging with Indigenous research epistemologies and ontologies helps to better understand the problems of under-represented or minority groups (Wilson et al , 2021). In the current practices, Roy and Uekusa (2020, p. 385) expressed the view that “the goal of qualitative research is to give voice to others, especially the marginalised”, (the quantitative approach focuses mainly on numeric data to learn about a particular group, generate knowledge and create understanding about the social world (Allen, 2017).…”

“…Concerning "social hostage" as non-extractive approach, Kouritzin and Nakagawa (2018) maintained that research participants and communities' well-beings must be protected, their futures safe from harm and their participant must be voluntary. The notion of engaging with Indigenous research epistemologies and ontologies helps to better understand the problems of under-represented or minority groups (Wilson, Mikahere-Hall & Sherwood, 2021). In the current practices, Roy & Uekusa (2020, p. 385) expressed the view that "the goal…”

“…There is a need to deconstruct both research design and approaches through re-imaging of different ways of knowledge inquiry and production. Decolonising campaigners argue that the Western world often ignores Indigenous knowledge and approaches in the creation of knowledge, despite their long-standing existence before colonisation (Wilson, Mikahere-Hall & Sherwood, 2021). Consequently, Indigenous communities frequently have no voice in the research or education that impacts them (Kouritzin & Nakagawa, 2018;Datta, 2018).…”

Exploring unheard voices: Best practices in interviewing women prosumers in Indian subsistence contexts

“…The Kaupapa Māori research approach is transformational through its challenge of prevailing ideologies of superiority, historical orientation, power relations, and social practices that perpetuate injustices or the status quo for Māori (Gibbs, 2001; Kiro, 2000). It is seen as a way of ‘decolonizing’ research (Mikahere‐Hall, 2017) and one that is specifically attuned to indigenous women's realties (Wilson et al, 2022). Kaupapa Māori Research is also seen to offer benefits for research into indigenous people more generally (Walker et al, 2006).…”