Rethinking Research as Relational Space in the Pacific Pedagogy and Praxis

Koya, Cresantia F. (2017) Rethinking Research as Relational Space in the Pacific Pedagogy and Praxis. In: Relational Hermeneutics: Decolonisation and the Pacific Itulagi. USP and The Pacific Theological College, Suva, pp. 65-84. ISBN 978-982-01-0967-4

PDF (Book chapter ) - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (755kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Pacific island ways of negotiating knowledge. It begins from the premise that the researcher as learner, seeking knowledge (data), needs to learn how to negotiate access to a particular knowledge base in various indigenous contexts. Numerous Pacific island scholars assert that a decolonisation of research is needed to cater for the fact that Pacific indigenous peoples view and engage in the world differently (Meyer, 2001). The Pacific research standpoint asserted here recognises that indigenous researchers bring a unique way of seeing and being in the world that frames questions, prioritises, problematises and engages members of the community in unique ways (Tuhiwai-Smith, 1999). While a number of Pacific research frameworks have emerged over the last decade, these focus primarily on the broader methodological framings or cultural reinterpretation of the research process, and on methods of data collection. In fact, limited discourse has been generated on Pacific indigenous theories, Pacific research ethics, and Pacific methods of data analysis. As a result, there is still a gap in research literature that prevents a holistic understanding of good research practice or pedagogy. This chapter includes an interrogation of issues of reliability, validity, triangulation and research rigour in indigenous qualitative research. In this process, a number of key questions are flagged: What is Pacific island research and how is it practiced? How do relational spaces play out in Pacific island communities? What are indicators of good research practice in Pacific indigenous approaches? What ethical guidelines ought to guide our work? What might a checklist look like for the novice researcher? How do we cultivate culturally literate/cross-culturally literate researchers (Thaman, 2001; Thomas & Inkson, 2004)? And finally, is it possible to create a community of research practice to begin to theorise and create Pacific island research frameworks and methods that are responsive to the peculiarities of the specific cultural community in which the research will take place?

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Subjects:	A General Works > AS Academies and learned societies (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > School of Education
Depositing User:	Cresantia Koya-Vaka'uta
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2017 04:54
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2017 04:54
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10271

Actions (login required)

View Item