Research Process

Indigenous Research Methodology

Our study supports the resurgence and assertion of Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, and Doing in research contexts as well as transformation within academic and other research institutions. Our ultimate goal is to bring Indigenous knowledge systems into the academy to transform the way people access, view, and value Indigenous Knowledges.


  • We are moving beyond accommodating, including, and acknowledging Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous content – to rethinking how Indigenous Knowledges are taught and valued in academic institutions that train Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, health professionals, justice workers, social workers, and policy and decision makers who work with Indigenous people and in Indigenous communities.

  • As part of the project, we are developing and articulating Indigenous research methodologies to guide how we conduct (1) an Indigenous-informed published and grey literature realist review and (2) case studies that will provide rich, nuanced, and deeper knowledge that is not commonly found in published or grey literature. Together, they will provide a holistic and robust understanding of how and why Indigenous Knowledges are used in research, pushing boundaries to transform how Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Doing are both valid and necessary in scholarship and academic training.

Indigenous-Informed Realist Review

  • What is it? A realist review is a systematic review process for complex interventions that requires additional analyses explaining “what works for whom, in what circumstances, in what respects, and how” (Pawson, 2005). Our Team agrees that it is insufficient to simply report on projects that used IKs in research.

  • Instead, we will conduct a realist review to examine local contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of a program/approach as well as develop theories about how Indigenous Knowledges were linked to outcomes intended to benefit Indigenous community(ies) involved. We have collectively agreed to include studies that (a) applied IK, (b) were community-driven, and (c) reported on how Indigenous Knowledges benefited Indigenous people.

In-Depth Case Studies

What happens in the case studies?

  • We will conduct 6-9 case studies, including exemplary Indigenous projects funded by each of the Canadian Tri-Council funding agencies (SSHRC, CIHR, and NSERC) and studies where Indigenous communities held the research funding from the research funder. Only studies where the principal investigators and Indigenous community partners agree that the project was 1) was community-driven, 2) incorporated IKs, and 3) benefitted Indigenous People through the use of IKs - will be included.

  • For each case study, we will meet with researchers, community leaders, peer/community researchers, and other key rights holders such as Elders, Knowledge Guardians, and community informants who were engaged in the selected projects. Case study informants will be asked about the impetus of their projects, how IKs were included, who was involved and in what way, how IKs were a critical part of the project, explanations of successes and lessons learned, and concerns and benefits to the Indigenous community(ies).