QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: A TOOL FOR ADDRESSING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The present research project had the general objective of describing the experiences lived in the approach of studies carried out in indigenous communities of the Gran Sabana. The first specific objective was to present the justification of the qualitative approach for the interaction with these communities. The second objective was the presentation of partial results of the different projects carried out in different Pemón communities. Based on these results, the achievement of the third objective is presented, which is to identify elements of the Pemón worldview and culture. In the Theoretical Framework, the Background is presented and the following aspects are developed at a conceptual level: The Pemón ethnic group, indigenous crafts and, finally, a solid reflection on epistemology, methodology and method in the qualitative field. In the Methodology Chapter, the different approaches used for each of the proposed objectives are presented. It is stated that its scope is descriptive, the key informants for the case in which they were chosen are identified, and field and documentary research are identified as strategies used. The instruments applied were participant observation, in-depth interview and filmed records. In the chapter on Findings, the achievement of the first objective is referred to from the content analysis of information generated without conceptual framework. The second of them was achieved by taking the results of four projects carried out and the third by a theoretical discussion on Pemón culture, which arises from the systematic analysis of the data collected, integrating them with references found.

Keywords: Qualitative approach, indigenous crafts, Pemón ethnic group