An interrogation of research on Caribbean social issues: establishing the need for an indigenous Caribbean research approach

Abstract

Caribbean social issues, like so many other global issues, are often researched and addressed using traditional Western philosophies and methodologies. However, some societies have criticized the use of Western approaches recognizing their unsuitability to accurately assess the distinctive culture, identity, and overall social structures of these societies. An investigation of the use of Caribbean research methodologies or approaches revealed that there is a significant absence in the use of culturally specific ways of conducting research in the Caribbean region and diaspora. This pattern was found to be consistent with the authors’ findings from a critical review of research methodologies used by postgraduate scholars in investigating Caribbean-related issues in the past 10 years. As a result, this article lobbies for the promotion of more culturally specific and relevant Caribbean research approaches that are respectful of the worldviews and practices of locals within the region.

Leadership and information dissemination: challenges and opportunities in COVID-19

“…This section provides a background for the research through fashioning an understanding for the cultural, social, and emotional settings that shaped Caribbean people's existence, livelihoods and behaviors in the past. Over the last 2 decades, the Caribbean has been plagued with many social issues (Wilson et al ., 2018). Many of these social issues have been in existence for a long time.…”

Re-interpreting Yoruba incantation: an example of Fryean apocalyptic and demonic imagery

“…Also, we prove that the dialectics of apocalyptic and demonic imagery is dependent on the whims and caprices of the writer to expose the dynamics of images. As against the perception of “some societies [which] have criticized the use of Western approaches, recognizing their unsuitability to accurately assess the distinctive culture, identity, and overall social structures of these societies” (Wilson et al, 2019, p. 3), the researchers identify Frye’s theory as a useful tool for analysing Yoruba incantation. While the overall aim of this scholarly exercise is to challenge the claim that Frye’s theory of literature could mostly be applied to Western literature (Allan, 2017), the article concludes that certain aspects of different cultures are naturally universal.…”