Comparing Hebridean & Canadian Indigenous Educational Research Methodologies

Educational research, and methods of qualitative enquiry, have existed in Highland and Island (Gàidhealtachd) communities prior to the introduction of accepted institutional research methodologies of the 20th century, or Western methodologies such as Glaser (1992); Strauss & Corbin (1998); Creswell (2002); and Richardson (2005).

Building upon the open-access (CC-BY) taught doctorate module on Indigenous research methodology (Smith et al, 2022; Smith, 2023), this presentation will explore a priori research methods originating in the Western Isles, Gàidhealtachd, particularly oral and narrative forms of enquiry through sustained ethnographic systems.

This conversation explores, describes and honours unique research methods originating in the Gàidhealtachd, paralleling Canadian Indigenous and participatory research methods identified and described globally (Kovach, 2009, 2010; Plain, 2022, 2013; 2011; Riddell et al, 2017; Singh, 2015; Tobias et al, 2013). Hebridean educational research methods value collective voices over individual statements. Sloinneadh and Dùthchas, the connection to land in learning, and the oral tradition of data collection through elders, are a few of the unique ways Hebridean research, like Indigenous research, is carried out and valued (Smith, 2023; Thomson, 2022; Tilley, 2016; Whitinui, 2014). This research endeavours to sustain and honour traditional methods of knowing.



References



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-conversational method (East v Western methodologies…)

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Identifying Hebridean educational research methods, or ways of knowing.