Over the years, continuous research on indigenous communities’ marginalization in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States has demonstrated a deliberate omission of minority voices in literature. From this realization, silencing research methods have been used to portray indigenous population groups from a certain perspective widely misunderstood by other people. When researchers pursue certain topical issues, their drive influences the nature of outcomes that will be achieved from the study. In this case, Deckert explores the impact of silencing research methods on indigenous cultures and their perspectives on life. Hence, the use of exclusive secondary data, survey research, and other silencing research methods deny indigenous communities their right to be heard on numerous misconceptions that affect their existence with other population groups.
The outcome of the Study
Deckert’s study seeks to identify the impact of deploying silencing research methods when learning about indigenous communities in the U.S. and beyond. In this regard, policymakers rely heavily on high-ranking journals to make informed decisions that demonstrating a deep understanding of the philosophy that guides the selected population group when interacting with other people. In the same vein, the research explores the growing preference among scholars to deploy silencing research methods when studying indigenous communities compared to their cultural counterparts. While the frequency to apply the duct tape when interacting with indigenous populations is higher today than before, Deckert questions the drive of contemporary criminologists in addressing issues that affect the culture, such as the high incarceration rate. Therefore, the study paints an image of the nature of approaches deployed by criminologists to study behavioral communication and its impact on the selected population groups’ perspectives in their immediate environment.
Research Questions
In this research, Deckert attempts to reveal high-ranking criminal journals that have relied on silencing research techniques to define indigenous cultures worldwide. Given their impact on the academic world and beyond, criminal journals possess a certain level of influence that defines individuals’ perspectives towards selected communities. Deckert’s research paints a different picture that provokes individuals’ thought processes by evaluating whether influential journals have used silencing methods to study indigenous people. In many developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada, indigenous communities encounter different challenges that affect their interactions with the majority population groups (Deckert, 2016). For instance, Native Americans in the U.S. are treated as second-class citizens and enjoy limited access to privileges such as ownership of property. From this realization, many criminal journals exploit these gaps to advance an agenda that justifies their indulgence in crime.
Research Approach
This study uses the quantitative research approach to develop relationships and examine the impact of external factors on their interactions with different population groups. Given the author’s desire to decolonize the academic world, the research engages individuals and identifies their perspectives towards their misconstrued image created by scholars who use silencing research methods. In the same vein, Deckert deploys emancipatory research design to improve the quality of relationships between scholars and participants in future studies. From this observation, the research demonstrates the gaps that have been deliberately created by criminologists to create a false impression of indigenous population groups in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Marginalized communities experience numerous difficulties adjusting to the community because of existing stereotypes and prejudices, which ruin their relationship with other people. Hence, the study engages the affected cultures to equip them with a voice where the rest can hear their world’s concerns.
Philosophical Worldview
As mentioned earlier, this research uses the emancipatory research design to enhance the quality of relationships between scholars and participants. In this case, researchers embracing the advocacy approach to research are convinced about the existence of deliberate efforts to silence certain population groups by portraying them wrongly. Notably, Deckert desires to share positive views regarding indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. because high-ranking criminology journals have portrayed them in research. Unlike other philosophical worldviews where researchers adopt a neutral stance, Deckert narrows down on the deliberate silencing efforts that have deprived indigenous people of their identity in their immediate environment and beyond. While researchers using this philosophical worldview may be political, Deckert’s approach demonstrates the effects of the views generated by high-ranking criminology paper journals on indigenous communities worldwide. Therefore, the study demonstrates the importance of reviewing the research methods used on studying indigenous communities and their impact on their perspectives towards life.
Theoretical Framework
The spiral of silence theory demonstrates community groups’ decision to isolate themselves from dominant populations who hold different views on certain topical issues. In this case, indigenous people isolate themselves from the public for fear of retribution from the dominant cultures by adopting legal policies. Notably, silencing research methods initiate a fear of isolation among indigenous population groups because of their hardened positions on topical issues. High-ranking criminology journals wield significant influence in the community because of their preference in policy formulation and implementation. From this perspective, the study highlights the adverse effects of silencing research methods and their contribution to the prevailing misunderstanding of indigenous population groups in the world today. Hence, creating a systemic way of approaching and implementing research methods for policy formulation and implementation promotes equality in research by voicing minority groups’ concerns in modern society.
A Reflection on the Research Questions
In this study, Deckert’s research questions provoke individuals’ thought processes by exposing them to harsh realities normalized by acknowledged studies. Deckert’s approach puts things in perspective and enables the public to question their understanding of indigenous population groups in their localities. The four research questions dwell on the need to criminalize silencing research methods that advance a certain agenda aimed at tainting the identity in their immediate environment. I am intrigued by Deckert’s philosophical worldview that questions the normalcy revolving around the world of academia when studying the indigenous populations.
Conclusion
The use of exclusive secondary data, survey research, and other silencing research methods deny indigenous communities their right to be heard on numerous misconceptions that affect their existence with other population groups. On many occasions, individuals fail to confront stereotypes and myths about indigenous populations because of the widespread normalization of high-ranking criminology journals’ vices. In Deckert’s research, one can identify the impact of silencing research techniques on people’s perspectives on life. When the world is constantly evolving, Deckert demonstrates the need to improve the quality of relationships between scholars and participants when conducting research activities.
