{"id":64892,"date":"2022-09-21T03:39:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T07:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=64892"},"modified":"2022-09-21T03:39:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T07:39:31","slug":"african-ubuntu-can-deepen-how-research-is-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/african-ubuntu-can-deepen-how-research-is-done\/","title":{"rendered":"African ubuntu can deepen how research is done"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Many academic studies have been centred on Western theories and methodologies for a long time. This approach to research is broadly defined as \u201cuniversalist<\/a>\u201d. It assumes that \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d and set norms can be applied across cultures. For example, Western ideas about identity revolve around the individual. That shapes how research is conducted: it focuses mainly on the individual and\u00a0emphasises analysis at the individual level<\/a>. Using Western approaches in non-Western contexts misses out on contextual issues such as power relations between an individual and their community.<\/p>\n

But over the past few years there has been\u00a0increasing<\/a>\u00a0discussion<\/a>\u00a0in research circles about the need to draw on \u2013 and apply \u2013 more diverse theories of knowledge and approaches in generating knowledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cContextualised\u201d methodologies have been offered as the alternative. This involves taking a region\u2019s particular cultural, demographic, geographical and socio-economic realities into account when conducting research. There\u2019s\u00a0a challenge<\/a>\u00a0with this approach, too. It may mean that academic research is within the reach of a limited group of people and becomes disconnected from broader academic engagements.<\/p>\n

In a recent paper,\u00a0we argue<\/a>\u00a0that researchers\u2019 decision along neatly divided lines \u2013 to choose either universalist or contextualised methodologies \u2013 is a false dilemma. We argue that, in researching non-Western contexts such as sub-Saharan Africa, researchers need to fuse conventional Western theories of knowledge and local theories of knowledge. This enables researchers to gain from the rigour associated with conventional methodologies while approaching research from a culturally sensitive philosophical basis.<\/p>\n

In our paper, we focus on\u00a0ubuntu<\/a>. This South African concept embodies the collectivist way of life of many societies in sub-Saharan Africa. The value of ubuntu goes beyond human conduct. It also offers researchers a relational way of knowing that accommodates knowledge of the context that is being studied as well as participants\u2019 values.<\/p>\n

We argue that ubuntu can contribute to the way research is carried out, by complementing universalist methodologies. This approach is gaining ground in research circles. For instance, Canadian academics used it to conduct\u00a0health research<\/a>\u00a0in Mozambique.<\/p>\n

The complementary use of ubuntu helps to remove colonial or oppressive lenses from academics\u2019 work. It offers a way for research participants\u2019 values and realities to be recognised and means they are actively involved in creating knowledge about themselves and their contexts.<\/p>\n

Shaping research<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We identified four practical ways that a complementary use of ubuntu can positively shape how research is done.<\/p>\n

The first centres on the research agenda. This should be community-based and community-centred. Researchers need to interrogate what their research aims to achieve, in whose interest do they conduct research, and who the research outcomes intend to serve. Bagele Chilisa, a professor of research methodologies,\u00a0points out<\/a>\u00a0how efforts to address the AIDS pandemic in many sub-Saharan African societies failed because the research agenda, methodological and analytical tools were driven by donor agencies. Community-centred research allows participants to be equal partners in knowledge generation.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s access. Accessing the \u201cfield\u201d (communities) must be done tactfully. In collectivist societies, a researcher should be aware that consent may go beyond the individual. This may mean seeking the permission (usually verbal) of the individual\u2019s immediate family or community leader. Research may be targeting an individual but it may also be important to obtain consent from their family, for example. Doing so can secure the individual\u2019s full participation: they are given indirect permission to draw examples of their experiences from their community.<\/p>\n

The third is power relations. Unequal power relations between the researcher and participants may not be completely eliminated by our complementary approach. But it is a valuable way to remind researchers that their work ought to hinge on ubuntu principles like respect and harmony. This can ensure that research is conducted in a less exploitative and more collaborative manner that values participants\u2019 knowledge and knowledge systems.<\/p>\n

Finally, context-sensitive methods are key. Researchers focusing on sub-Saharan Africa should explore and adopt alternative, culturally appropriate knowledge systems and methodologies. Knowledge in collectivistic societies is usually embodied in and transmitted through performative communication modes such as folklore, taboos, totems, and cosmological beliefs. These knowledge modes may not be easily accommodated by Western approaches. Using local knowledge and ways of knowing will expose research to criticism. This can enhance its value and significance.<\/p>\n

A complementary approach<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Our paper contends that there is no \u201ceither or\u201d at play when considering how best to study non-Western contexts. The importance of decolonising research and research methodology does not negate the usefulness of conventional, Western methodologies. Rather, knowledge generation should be approached through the lens of the context under study.<\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/strong> Obaa Akua Konadu-Osei is a Ph.D. Student, Business Management & Administration at Stellenbosch University<\/em><\/p>\n

Professor Smaranda Boro\u015f and Professor Anita Bosch co-authored the research on which this article is based.<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many academic studies have been centred on Western theories and methodologies for a long time. This approach to research is broadly defined as \u201cuniversalist\u201d. It assumes that \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d and set norms can be applied across cultures. For example, Western ideas about identity revolve around the individual. That shapes how research is conducted: it focuses mainly […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[86115],"tags":[311],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-64892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research","tag-research"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAfrican ubuntu can deepen how research is done - World leading higher education information and services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/world.edu\/african-ubuntu-can-deepen-how-research-is-done\/\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"African ubuntu can deepen how research is done - World leading higher education information and services\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many academic studies have been centred on Western theories and methodologies for a long time. This approach to research is broadly defined as \u201cuniversalist\u201d. It assumes that \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d and set norms can be applied across cultures. For example, Western ideas about identity revolve around the individual. 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