Exploring the Understanding of Money in Indigenous Australia: using Indigenous Research Methodologies
This collection of SAGE Cases in Methodology (SCiM) is aimed at providing researchers with real-life examples of methodologies and issues faced by postgraduate researchers. This case study, led by Vinita Godinho as part of her doctoral studies from RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) describes the end-to-end research process she undertook, to explore the understanding of money in two remote Indigenous communities.
Many Indigenous Australians live in remote locations, enduring often harsh physical environments. They face multidimensional socio-economic disadvantage, including social and financial exclusion. Studying how Indigenous people in remote communities understand and want to use money helps to inform social policy and ongoing efforts to enhance their financial inclusion.
Existing research highlights a significant ‘gap’ in financial outcomes for Indigenous people as compared to mainstream Australia. However, there is little academic research exploring how Indigenous people themselves view the world of money and finances. This case study discusses the challenges faced by Vinita as a first-time researcher before, during and after her research was undertaken, the strategies she employed to overcome these challenges, and the lessons she learned.
Author
Vinita Godinho and Supriya Singh