Expressing social justice within Indigenous research: a reflection on process and affirmation

Abstract

In this article, we reflect on the process of the implementation of enacted social justice through the concepts of conscious affirmation and informed compassion, within the methodological processes utilized when carrying out a qualitative research study in a South African Indigenous community. The enactment of social justice during the study conceptualization and implementation process is evidenced by ensuring the conformity of the research processes to relevant and culturally congruent approaches as endorsed by the participants and context. We further reflect on the challenges and benefits experienced in this process while arguing for the relevance of exploring the use of conscious affirmation and informed compassion to support an enacted social justice process for research within African Indigenous communities.