ResearchPod Summary
All scholarly research is guided by a research paradigm—a philosophical worldview that shapes how a researcher views reality, knowledge, and values. While Western paradigms like postpositivism and constructivism have dominated academia, Indigenous scholars have increasingly critiqued this Eurocentric hegemony. In the Canadian context of settler colonialism, research has historically been used as a tool of oppression. While some scholars attempt to 'decolonize' research by blending Indigenous and Western methodologies, these efforts often remain superficial because they attempt to fit Indigenous approaches into existing Western categories or frameworks.
The author argues that current attempts to decolonize research—such as adding an 'Indigenous' paradigm to existing typologies or subsuming Indigenous methods under the 'transformative' paradigm—are insufficient. These approaches often treat decolonization as a methodological adjustment rather than a radical social reform. Because the transformative paradigm is still rooted in a Western worldview, it cannot fully accommodate the relational and land-based nature of Indigenous knowledge systems. Furthermore, these attempts often fail to address the fundamental power imbalances inherent in settler-colonial relationships.
The paper proposes a third route: the co-creation of a new, multiparadigmatic space. This approach moves beyond simply 'indigenizing' Western methods and instead calls for Indigenous and Western researchers to develop new research frameworks from scratch. This process is described as an 'unsettling' and mutual endeavor. It requires that non-Indigenous researchers move beyond the role of the 'helper' and instead engage in a process where their own liberation is bound up with the liberation of Indigenous peoples. This shift must permeate not just methodology, but the entire structure of the academy, including ethics boards, funding agencies, and institutional policies.
This paper is essential for researchers seeking to engage in cross-cultural or Indigenous-centered research. It highlights that decolonization is not a checklist of methods but a fundamental shift in power and worldview. By challenging the assumption that research can be guided by a single, static paradigm, the author provides a framework for researchers to navigate the 'ethical space' between disparate worldviews, ultimately aiming for a postcolonial future where Indigenous knowledge is respected as equal to Western science.
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