1|Page
CMY3709 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 18
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Decolonised Research and Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous
Research .................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Definition of Key Concepts ........................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Decolonisation ........................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Indigenous Knowledge Systems ........................................................................................... 3
2.3 Decolonised Research ............................................................................................................. 3
3. Theoretical Foundations of Decolonised Research ............................................................... 3
3.1 Critique of Eurocentric Epistemology ................................................................................. 4
3.2 Epistemic Justice and Cognitive Liberation ...................................................................... 4
3.3 Ubuntu and Relational Ontology ........................................................................................... 4
4. Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous Research ...................................... 4
4.1 Epistemological Pluralism ...................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Community Participation and Co-creation of Knowledge .............................................. 5
4.3 Ethical Relationality .................................................................................................................. 5
4.4 Language and Cultural Sensitivity........................................................................................ 5
4.5 Power and Positionality ........................................................................................................... 5
4.6 Decolonising Research Methods .......................................................................................... 6
4.7 Ownership and Control of Data ............................................................................................. 6
4.8 Institutional Transformation ................................................................................................... 6
5. Challenges in Implementing Decolonised Research ............................................................. 7
6. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
References ................................................................................................................................................. 7
, 2|Page
Decolonised Research and Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous
Research
1. Introduction
Research methodologies in the social sciences have historically been shaped by
Western epistemological traditions that positioned European knowledge systems as
universal, objective and superior. During colonialism and apartheid, these dominant
paradigms systematically marginalised indigenous knowledge systems, languages,
belief systems and social structures. In many colonised societies, including those in
Africa, research functioned not only as a tool for knowledge production but also as an
instrument of control, classification and governance (Smith, 2012).
The growing movement toward decolonisation in higher education and research seeks
to challenge this legacy. Decolonised research represents an effort to transform both
the content and process of knowledge production so that it reflects indigenous
worldviews, priorities and lived realities. In the African context, this transformation is
closely linked to broader projects of epistemic justice, cultural restoration and social
transformation (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2018).
This essay defines decolonised research and discusses the key considerations
necessary for applying decolonised indigenous research. It argues that decolonised
research requires epistemological pluralism, ethical relationality, community
participation, contextual relevance and institutional transformation.
2. Definition of Key Concepts
2.1 Decolonisation
Decolonisation refers to the process of dismantling colonial systems of power,
knowledge and representation that continue to shape institutions and social relations
long after political independence (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013). In the context of research,
CMY3709 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 18
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Decolonised Research and Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous
Research .................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Definition of Key Concepts ........................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Decolonisation ........................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Indigenous Knowledge Systems ........................................................................................... 3
2.3 Decolonised Research ............................................................................................................. 3
3. Theoretical Foundations of Decolonised Research ............................................................... 3
3.1 Critique of Eurocentric Epistemology ................................................................................. 4
3.2 Epistemic Justice and Cognitive Liberation ...................................................................... 4
3.3 Ubuntu and Relational Ontology ........................................................................................... 4
4. Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous Research ...................................... 4
4.1 Epistemological Pluralism ...................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Community Participation and Co-creation of Knowledge .............................................. 5
4.3 Ethical Relationality .................................................................................................................. 5
4.4 Language and Cultural Sensitivity........................................................................................ 5
4.5 Power and Positionality ........................................................................................................... 5
4.6 Decolonising Research Methods .......................................................................................... 6
4.7 Ownership and Control of Data ............................................................................................. 6
4.8 Institutional Transformation ................................................................................................... 6
5. Challenges in Implementing Decolonised Research ............................................................. 7
6. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
References ................................................................................................................................................. 7
, 2|Page
Decolonised Research and Considerations for Applying Decolonised Indigenous
Research
1. Introduction
Research methodologies in the social sciences have historically been shaped by
Western epistemological traditions that positioned European knowledge systems as
universal, objective and superior. During colonialism and apartheid, these dominant
paradigms systematically marginalised indigenous knowledge systems, languages,
belief systems and social structures. In many colonised societies, including those in
Africa, research functioned not only as a tool for knowledge production but also as an
instrument of control, classification and governance (Smith, 2012).
The growing movement toward decolonisation in higher education and research seeks
to challenge this legacy. Decolonised research represents an effort to transform both
the content and process of knowledge production so that it reflects indigenous
worldviews, priorities and lived realities. In the African context, this transformation is
closely linked to broader projects of epistemic justice, cultural restoration and social
transformation (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2018).
This essay defines decolonised research and discusses the key considerations
necessary for applying decolonised indigenous research. It argues that decolonised
research requires epistemological pluralism, ethical relationality, community
participation, contextual relevance and institutional transformation.
2. Definition of Key Concepts
2.1 Decolonisation
Decolonisation refers to the process of dismantling colonial systems of power,
knowledge and representation that continue to shape institutions and social relations
long after political independence (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013). In the context of research,
