‘Validity’ and ‘reliability’ are western concepts. In African centred-research, they are acheived in several ways. Reviere’s African-centred procedure of achieving ‘validity’ or ‘reliability’ includes these five elements (Reviere, 2001, p. 725): ukweli, utlulivu, uhaki, ujarnaa and kujitoa. Chilisa described these elements as follows “Ukweli is loosely translated from the original Swahili as “truth.” For the purposes of this article, it refers to the groundedness of research in the experiences of the community being researched. The experiences of community members become the ultimate authority in determining what is true and therefore become the final arbiter of the validity of research about their lives. Utulivu is loosely translated from the original Swahili as “justice.” It requires that the researcher actively avoid creating, exaggerating, or sustaining divisions between or within communities but rather strive to create harmonious relationships between and within these groups. Uhaki is loosely translated from the original Swahili as “harmony.” It requires a research procedure that is fair to all participants, especially to those being researched, and one whose applications are mindful of the welfare of all the participants. Ujama is loosely translated from the original Swahili as “community.” It requires that the researcher reject the researcher/participant separation and not presume to be “the well from which spring theory and practice, whole and well-formed,” but that theory and practice should be informed by the actual and aspired interests of the community. Kujitoa is loosely translated from the original Swahili as “commitment.” It requires that the researcher emphasize considerations of how knowledge is structured and used over the need for dispassion and objectivity” (Chilisa, 2014).
- Ukweli – truth
- Utlulivu – justice
- Uhaki – harmony
- Ujamaa – community
- Kujitoa – commitment
Chilisa, B. (2014). Indigenous research is a journey. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, , no. 2, pp. 41-44.Reviere, R. (2001). Toward an Afrocentric research methodology. Journal of Black Studies, 31 (6), 709-727
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