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Exposing the patterns of statistical blindness: centring indigenous standpoints on student identity, motivation, and future aspirations
Bodkin-Andrews, Gawaian Whittaker, Alison Harrison, Neil Craven, Rhonda Parker, Phil Trudgett, Michelle Page, Susan
Bodkin-Andrews, Gawaian
Whittaker, Alison
Harrison, Neil
Craven, Rhonda
Parker, Phil
Trudgett, Michelle
Page, Susan
Abstract
This article engages with an Indigenous Quantitative Methodological Framework to examine links between a positive sense of cultural identity, future aspirations, and academic motivational tendencies. Utilising a sample of Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal and First Generation (Migrant) Australian students in years 7–10, results showed strong psychometric properties across the three groups for the measures utilised. Whilst few differences were identified between the First Generation and non-Aboriginal Australian students, Aboriginal students consistently had lower future aspirations and less adaptive motivational tendencies than the two other student groups. Importantly though, Aboriginal students held a stronger sense of cultural identity. Key links between motivation and cultural identity were identified, and both were associated with stronger educational and life aspirations. The implications suggest that researchers and teachers need to recognise the importance of cultural identity as a positive driver for schooling motivation and future aspirations, and that First Nations theory and research should be engaged to override the erasing effects of Western epistemological standpoints when utilising statistical methods.
Keywords
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australian Journal of Education
Book
Volume
61
Issue
3
Page Range
225-249
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Education and Arts
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
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Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled