Methodology and Political Science Research Databases: A Critical Postcolonial Perspective

Njekwa Mate, Ferdinand M. Chipindi, Jeff Kanyense and Musole Siachisa
Additional contact information
Njekwa Mate: University of Zambia, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Government and Management Studies.
Ferdinand M. Chipindi: University of Zambia, School of Education, Department of Education Administration and Policy Studies.
Jeff Kanyense: Copperbelt University, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Governance
Musole Siachisa: Mulungushi University, Department of Political and Administrative Studies at Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 7, 2580-2590

Abstract: The dominant datasets, such as Polity V, Freedom House, Afrobarometer, and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), among others, are predominantly produced in the Global North, reflecting epistemological priorities and methodological frameworks rooted in colonial or neo-colonial legacies. These datasets often marginalize local contexts and knowledge systems, perpetuating unequal power dynamics and epistemic dependency. The methodology used in this study incorporates document analyses and critical assessment of on-line based databases to explore the use and impact of political science research data in Southern Africa. A critical postcolonial lens reveals deeper concerns regarding the epistemic foundations and contextual applicability of these databases. The reliance on databases like Polity V, Freedom House, and the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) reflects the dominance of knowledge systems rooted in the Global North. These databases often dominate curricula and research agendas, side-lining indigenous methodologies and epistemologies that could provide more contextually relevant insights. Institutions and researchers primarily lead the production of these datasets in the Global North, and may also perpetuate unequal power dynamics and epistemic dependency. A postcolonial critique of Western-driven methodologies highlights the need for decolonial approaches in political science research. Decolonial methodologies emphasize the co-creation of knowledge with local communities, the use of indigenous epistemologies, and the prioritization of context-specific research questions.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... ssue-7/2580-2590.pdf (application/pdf)
https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/arti ... olonial-perspective/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-7:p:2580-2590

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science is currently edited by Dr. Nidhi Malhan

More articles in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science from International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Pawan Verma ().