Knowledge Elicitation with Aboriginal Australian communities

Authors

  • Cat Kutay Charles Darwin University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v25i0.2907

Keywords:

Aboriginal Knowledge Systems, Protocols for Engagement, Appropriate Information Technology

Abstract

This paper provides techniques for engagement and data collection in researching with Aboriginal Australian cultures, acknowledging significant differences in forms of communication and usage of Information Systems to the mainstream Australian culture. An approach to trust in relationships is developed by interpreting cultural aspects arising from the diverse relationships to technology developed by Aboriginal users. This work uses the existing Honeycomb model for social media development as a base framework for collaborative web systems and online knowledge sharing in the Indigenous domain. We present a series of product development research projects based in universities in NSW Australia, in particular user experience studies, to explain the relationship between the researchers and users and the products that are created in terms of the model. Some concepts and processes fundamental to engagement with Aboriginal Australian communities in the supply of appropriate information sharing technology are discussed in this context. For if Aboriginal people are to engage in IS development, we are sharing the knowledge or the culture that is embedded in the technology which can have detrimental effects. Either we are asking them to enter the culture that created the technology, that is assimilate, or we use engagement in design to change that technology to suit the culture.

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Published

2021-10-03

How to Cite

Kutay, C. (2021). Knowledge Elicitation with Aboriginal Australian communities. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 25. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v25i0.2907

Issue

Section

Research on Indigenous use of Information and Communication Technologies