Utilizing Pacific Methodologies as Inclusive Practice

Abstract

For academics embarking on research with Pacific people for the benefit of Pacific communities or issues, what is paramount is the need for Pacific methodologies to be adopted as well as adapted, to improve communication and rapport with prospective participants. When one thinks of research of a Pacific nature, it is not until existing Pacific methodologies are known that one ponders on the type of methodology best suits one's research practice. Since Smith's research on the importance for the decolonization process to be more at the fore regarding research undertaken about, for, and with indigenous groups, there has been a growing shift away from Eurocentric frameworks. Movement away enables improved understanding and communication with Pacific people and issues; it also confirms the appropriateness of Pacific methodologies to enhance research in general. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has similar elements found in Pacific methodologies; positive outcomes between both researcher and stakeholders are key during planning and implementation stages. By working alongside community partners, researchers work toward implementing research data collection and collation methods with the assistance of indigenous (in this case, Pacific experts and leaders of Pacific communities) to benefit and "advance social change and social justice (Holkup et al., 2004; Minkler, 2004; Petrucka et al., 2012; Walters et al., 2009)." It may be time consuming at research commencement stage, but worthwhile pursuing to ensure all stakeholders involved in the research are aware of expectations and benefit from the outcomes of research pursued.

UNDERSTANDING PASIFIKA MENTAL HEALTH IN NEW ZEALAND: A review of the literature

“…Infusing qualitative methods enables our Pacific peoples and their families to narrate their own stories and make our research more meaningful. As seen in previous Pacific research (Mila-Schaaf & Robinson, 2010;Tiatia-Seath et al, 2017b), combining both quantitative and qualitative methods (such as talanoa) is a promising avenue for future Pasifika mental health research, especially as talanoa aligns more strongly with Pacific cultural values (Ponton, 2018;Vaioleti, 2006). As mentioned, this review forms part of a larger research project-the lead author's doctoral research dissertation.…”

Alofa ki te tamā manu: Language, culture, identity, and wellbeing - Caring for gagana Tokelau and lea faka-Tonga in secondary education in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…The development of teu le va (literally caring for the va), a Indigenous relational Samoan construct as a methodology has also been helpful. Teu le va was developed as a methodology in response to a call to decolonise traditional Western methodologies (Ponton, 2018;Smith, 2012) in order to respect cultural protocols and to provide a research context in which the needs of community drive the research. It aims to approach research ethics relationally by putting "a'ano (flesh) on the bones of personhood in a way that recognises and demands respect, attentiveness and responsiveness to our commitments to each other in the humanity of relationships" (Anae, 2016, p.118).…”

“…She says that the inclusion of the sacred and spiritual dimension is what sets teu le va apart from Western research ethics and methodologies. Anae (2016) and Ponton (2018) use traditional Samoan examples of how to teu le va in order to understand its application as a research methodology. Teu le va philosophy is incorporated into traditional Samoan marriage ceremonies to demonstrate how to deal with problems.…”

“…In this case, applying Indigenous understanding to the research methodology, teu le va implies researchers in Pacific spaces must continuously expose, understand, and reconcile va between the different communities involved, including taking care of tensions that arise. Ponton (2018) gives another traditional Samoan example of how teu le va teaches how the va is cared for by expected respectful behaviours and language between brothers and sisters. In the research context, Ponton (2018) applies this relational behaviour to how the researcher and host should interact at social or research-related events.…”

“…The theoretically driven methodological approach looks to relational vā-inspired and critical ethnographic methodologies to support and place the caring and nurturing of relationships and community driven outcomes at the centre of the project (Airini et al, 2010;Anae, 2016;Ponton, 2018). Working together with communities, I am guided by two Tokelauan values: tautua (to serve) and alofa ki te tamā manu (nurturing those in need).…”