Conference Paper/Proceeding/Abstract 61 views
Decolonial Research Methodologies: Embedding Ubuntu Philosophy in Data Collection Practices
Bridget Irene,
Julius Irene,
Samuel Ebie 
In the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE 2024) Conference
Swansea University Author:
Samuel Ebie
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
Abstract
The incorporation of Ubuntu in research is often regarded as a means to enhance inclusivity and promote a more profound engagement with African contexts. However, this assumption frequently fails to account for the intricacies and difficulties involved in integrating Ubuntu principles into research...
| Published in: | In the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE 2024) Conference |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 9781900862-36-3 |
| ISSN: | 9781900862-36-3 |
| Published: |
2024
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68327 |
| Abstract: |
The incorporation of Ubuntu in research is often regarded as a means to enhance inclusivity and promote a more profound engagement with African contexts. However, this assumption frequently fails to account for the intricacies and difficulties involved in integrating Ubuntu principles into research paradigms that are predominantly Western, resulting in a shallow implementation of the concept. Ubuntu, a philosophy highlighting interconnectedness, communalism, and shared humanity, is frequently underutilised or misinterpreted in research methodologies. Its potential to transform data collection practices to more accurately represent African epistemologies remains largely under-explored. This study examines the literature on decolonial research methodologies and African epistemologies, focussing on how Ubuntu contributes to inclusive and ethically grounded research practices that enhance participation. This challenges the assumption that Ubuntu is merely a "add-on" to existing methods, instead positioning it as a foundational framework that redefines researcher-participant relationships and reflexive practices in African contexts. Using a quantitative reflexivity approach, we collected data from 110 researchers from different continents comparing response rates to conclude the factors that may influence these rates. The findings show a significant positive correlation between Ubuntu principles and increased participation/ response rates. The findings underscore the practical utility of Ubuntu as a framework for conducting ethically sound and culturally respectful research, illustrating its significance beyond mere symbolic inclusion. This study highlights the importance of rethinking research methodologies in African studies, underscoring the necessity for reflexive and culturally embedded data collection techniques. This research has significant implications for the broader academic discourse on decolonisation, promoting the need for inclusive, ethical, and participatory approaches rooted in African cultural philosophies.Keywords: Ubuntu; Data Collection; Decolonisation; African Philosophy, Indigenous Knowledge |
|---|---|
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |