Grounded ontologies: Indigenous methodologies in qualitative cross-cultural research

This chapter centres Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies as a strength in qualitative social science research. Indigenous knowledges and methodologies are often defined as knowledge systems. We take this conceptualisation forward in this chapter, by presenting case studies of research that centres Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing within cross cultural contexts in ways that can also span knowledge paradigms. Furthermore, we propose that the concept of cross-cultural research has been limited in its scope when considering the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and knowledges and indeed indigenous peoples globally. Grounded in relationality, we will share examples from a strengths-based study that explored identity, well-being and schooling with Indigenous Australian young people. The study employed a range of creative and cultural methods as a way for researchers to co-create data with Indigenous young people and these will be explicated with examples throughout the chapter. The point is to provide insights into how centring Indigenous ontological concepts, such as relationality, can enhance qualitative data while exploring complex issues in social science research with culturally and linguistically diverse young people.