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Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry With Youth And Communities

Hugh Bell

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Published in Humanizing Research: Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry With Youth And Communities

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Qualitative inquiry is a valuable tool for understanding the experiences and perspectives of youth and communities. However, traditional qualitative research practices have often been rooted in colonial ideologies and power dynamics. This can lead to research that is extractive, exploitative, and disempowering for participants.

Humanizing Research: Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry With Youth and Communities

by Django Paris

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Decolonizing qualitative inquiry is a critical approach to research that seeks to challenge and dismantle these colonial legacies. It is based on the principles of respect, reciprocity, and empowerment, and it prioritizes the voices and perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized.

In this article, we will explore the importance of decolonizing qualitative inquiry in research involving youth and communities. We will discuss the historical and contemporary contexts of colonization and its impact on research practices, and we will provide concrete strategies for decolonizing inquiry.

Historical and Contemporary Contexts of Colonization and Its Impact on Research Practices

Colonization is a complex and multifaceted process that has had a profound impact on the world, including on research practices. Colonization is the establishment and maintenance of political and economic control by one nation over another, and it often involves the exploitation and oppression of the colonized people.

The history of colonization is long and bloody, and its effects are still felt today. The legacy of colonialism includes racism, discrimination, and poverty, and it has shaped the way that research is conducted in many parts of the world.

Traditional qualitative research practices have often been influenced by colonial ideologies and power dynamics. These practices often view the researcher as the expert who has the knowledge and authority to define the research questions and interpret the data. This can lead to research that is extractive and exploitative, and it can disempower participants.

Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry

Decolonizing qualitative inquiry is a critical approach to research that seeks to challenge and dismantle the colonial legacies in research practices. It is based on the principles of respect, reciprocity, and empowerment, and it prioritizes the voices and perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized.

There are many different ways to decolonize qualitative inquiry. Some examples include:

Engaging in critical self-reflection: Researchers need to be aware of their own biases and assumptions, and they need to be willing to challenge them.
Building relationships with community members: Researchers need to build relationships with community members based on trust and respect. This can take time and effort, but it is essential for creating a research process that is truly collaborative and empowering.
Utilizing participatory and empowering research methodologies: Researchers can use participatory and empowering research methodologies to give participants more control over the research process. This can include involving participants in the design of the research project, the collection and analysis of data, and the interpretation of the results.

Decolonizing qualitative inquiry is a complex and challenging process, but it is essential for creating research that is ethical, respectful, and empowering for youth and communities.

Strategies for Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry

There are many different strategies that researchers can use to decolonize qualitative inquiry. Some examples include:

Engage in critical self-reflection. Researchers need to be aware of their own biases and assumptions, and they need to be willing to challenge them. This can be done through reading, attending workshops, and talking to other researchers.
Build relationships with community members. Researchers need to build relationships with community members based on trust and respect. This can take time and effort, but it is essential for creating a research process that is truly collaborative and empowering. Researchers can build relationships by spending time in the community, getting to know people, and listening to their stories.
Utilize participatory and empowering research methodologies. Researchers can use participatory and empowering research methodologies to give participants more control over the research process. This can include involving participants in the design of the research project, the collection and analysis of data, and the interpretation of the results. Participatory research methodologies can include community-based participatory research, photovoice, and narrative inquiry.
Use decolonizing language. Researchers need to use decolonizing language in their research. This means avoiding language that is racist, sexist, homophobic, or ableist. It also means using language that is inclusive and empowering for participants.
Share power and resources. Researchers need to share power and resources with participants. This can include sharing the results of the research with participants, giving participants access to resources, and supporting participants

Humanizing Research: Decolonizing Qualitative Inquiry With Youth and Communities

by Django Paris

4.9 out of 5