A culturally appropriate methodology is essential in making fieldwork more reliable and valued. In the context of Fiji, principally in the ethnic Fijian community, the creation of rapport and a good interpersonal relationship with the Fijian participants is key in bridging the gap between the participants and researchers since it makes them feel comfortable to communicate freely and openly with each other. In order to achieve this, the application of Talanoa research design is recommended. Talanoa research design is arguably the most culturally suitable research designs in the ethnic Fijian community. On the other hand, Kaupapa Maori emerges as a challenge to the accepted assumptions and norms about knowledge and the way it is usually constructed as a seek out for understanding within the Maori perspective. In this paper, I endeavor to outline my understanding in Kaupapa Maori and Talanoa research designs and clearly discuss the epistemology that underpins each methodology.
Superficially, Talanoa research requires the participants and the researchers to not only share their valuable time but also their emotions. For this reason, this methodology expects that the researcher is well versed with the dominant Fijian cultural values, beliefs in giving and sharing . In addition, the researchers should familiarize themselves with the ethnic Fujian aspects of discussion and communication including their non-verbal methods of relaying information. In the epistemology of Talanoa research design, the question of what and how knowledge is acquired can be explained through the procedures required in undertaking a Talanoa research (Mukherji & Albon, 2010). The culturally-appropriate procedures require a researcher to personally conduct a fieldwork by giving a visit to the Fijian village under study, they are expected to meet with the village chief or headman who then arranges for a meeting where the researcher will ask for permission to conduct the research through presenting and sharing a drink with the elders of the Fijian community.
Objectivity, especially in relation to Kaupupa Maori’s design and analysis has provided numerous overriding concerns in the search for the truth , principally in epidemiological studies. In contrast, Kaupapa Maori research may ultimately question ‘whose truth’? and further question on how it was construed. Ownership and control in the research and in terms of Maori choosing on developing and carrying out the research study can be perceived as an appropriate approach that enables for a greater understanding of the issues that concerns the Maori. Although Kaupapa Maori research is sometimes seen to be assuming a distinctive approach with an array of underlying principles and aspects which are purely based on the Maori Worldview, most of its methods may also appear to be subordinate to the issues and utilities which may be drawn from different and wide range of methodologies.
For a Talanoa research to be regarded as valid, the researchers should pay extra attention to the protocols that have been regarded to be culturally appropriate. They should ask their questions in a culturally suitable form of research for instance through face-to-face interviews in the Fujian community. The researchers should therefore familiarize themselves with the cultural values which are practiced by the Fujian community they intend to carry out the field work with. However, there have been a number claims that the methodology of Kaupapa Maori has not existed since for a design to termed as a methodology, the research ought to have used methods that are distinctive from other defined disciplines unlike the kaupapa Maori which stems its approach from the Maori world view. Therefore, I believe that the epistemology from which these two methodologies are interpreted greatly helps in maintaining the integrity of the research respondent discussion.
Works cited
Mukherji, Penny, and Deborah Albon. Research methods in early childhood: An introductory
guide. SAGE Publications Limited, 2010.
Vaioleti, Timote Masima. "Talanoa research methodology: a developing position on pacific
research." (2006).
