Syllabics
Axiology 鈥� 鈥淩efers to the critical examination and understanding of the role of values, ethics, and morals in guiding the research process.鈥�
Creswell J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). SAGE.
Axiology 鈥� 鈥淎xiology in Indigenous research guides the selection of meaningful information and fosters a harmonious and ethical research partnership with Indigenous communities.鈥�
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S., Fernwood Pub.
Epistemology 鈥� 鈥�Means a system of knowledge that references within it the social relations of knowledge production. It is different from Ontology, in that ontology is concerned with the nature of being and reality.鈥�
Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations, and contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Epistemology: 鈥淓pistemology is the study of the nature of thinking or knowing. It involves the theory of how we come to have knowledge, or how we know that we know something. It includes entire systems of thinking or styles of cognitive functioning that are built upon specific ontologies. Epistemology is tied in to ontology, in that what I believe to be 鈥渞eal鈥� is going to impact on the way that I think about that 鈥渞eality.鈥� Choices are made about what is 鈥渞eal鈥� will depend upon how your thinking works and how you know the world around you. Epistemology is thus asking, 鈥淗ow do I know what is real?鈥�
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S., Fernwood Pub.
Ethical Space: “The 鈥渆thical space鈥� is formed when two societies, with disparate worldviews, are poised to engage each other. It is the thought about diverse societies and the space in between them that contributes to the development of a framework for dialogue between human communities. The ethical space of engagement proposes a framework as a way of examining the diversity and positioning of Indigenous peoples and Western society in the pursuit of a relevant discussion on Indigenous legal issues and particularly to the fragile intersection of Indigenous law and Canadian legal systems.”
Ermine, W. (2007). The ethical space of engagement. Indigenous Law Journal, 6(1), 193-203.
Methodology: 鈥�Methodology refers to the theory of how knowledge is gained, or in other words the science of finding things out. Your view of what reality is, and how you know this reality, will impact on the ways that more knowledge can be gained about this reality. If the ontology is that there is one ultimate reality, then there should be one way of examining this reality (methodology) that will help to see it best (epistemology). If the ontology is that various realities exist, then you will choose ways of examining one of these realities (methodology) that will take into account your point of view as a researcher to come up with a better understanding (epistemology). Methodology is thus asking, 鈥淗ow do I find out more about this reality?鈥�
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S., Fernwood Pub.
asserts that First Nations have control over data collection processes in their communities, and that they own and control how this information can be used. As such, it provides a framework for First Nations data governance. Self-determining Indigenous nations have the right to Ownership, Control, Access and Possession of their data.
Ontology: 鈥淥ntology is the theory of the nature of existence, or the nature of reality. Is there one 鈥渞eal鈥� world that each of us observes differently through our own senses, or do various worlds exist, depending upon the point of view of the observer? There is no way to come to a definite answer to this question, so people develop an ontological set of beliefs and take it on faith from there. Once a set of beliefs is established regarding just what is 鈥渞eal,鈥� research then follows these beliefs in an attempt to discover more about this agreed upon reality. Ontology is thus asking, 鈥淲hat is real?鈥欌��
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S., Fernwood Pub.
Qualitative Research 鈥� 鈥渁ny type of research that produces findings not arrived at by statistical procedures or other means of quantification鈥�.
Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations, and contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
鈥淨uantitative Research 鈥� flowing from a positivist paradigm, assumes that objective neutrality can exist within research so long as lurking variables are controlled.”
Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations, and contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
鈥淩eflexivity 鈥� Is the term often utilized within a variety of qualitative research approaches to reference the relational. Reflexivity is the researcher鈥檚 own self-reflection in the meaning making process.鈥�
Kovach, M. (2009). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations, and contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Research Paradigm: 鈥淩esearch Paradigms are labels that are used to identify sets of underlying beliefs or assumptions upon which research is based. These sets of beliefs go together to guide researchers鈥� actions. Any research represents the paradigm used by the researcher, whether the researcher is conscious of their choice of paradigm or not. Paradigms are thus broad principles that provide a framework for research. As paradigms deal with beliefs and assumptions about reality, they are based upon theory and are thus intrinsically value laden.
What is reality? How do we know what is real and what is not? How can we find out more and explore our reality? What moral beliefs will guide the search for reality? What moral beliefs will guide the search for reality? These questions are at the heart of what research paradigms are. The set of beliefs that make up research paradigms are the interrelated concepts of ontology, epistemology, methodology and axiology.鈥�
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Black Point, N.S., Fernwood Pub.
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