Do you want to avoid the hassle of traveling with your printed poster? IAPHS2026 is pleased to make poster printing available to you through our supplier PosterSessionOnline. Your poster will be professionally reviewed, printed and shipped directly to Portland and you will be able to pick it up from the Poster desk. Click here to learn more.
Primary Submission Category: Methodological approaches to studying public health
Practitioner perspectives on Indigenous-centered quantitative methodology for health research
Authors: Jessica Williams-Nguyen, Cole Allick, MichaeLynn Kanichy, Denise Dillard, Clemma Muller,
Presenting Author: Jessica Williams-Nguyen*
Quantitative methodology is crucial to health research and evidence-based solutions; yet there are significant barriers to its use in the context of Indigenous health. These include legacies of harm due to misuse of research and statistics as well as epistemological disconnect between Western and Indigenous knowledge systems. An emerging literature promotes quantitative methods that increase cultural safety by centering the worldviews of Indigenous Peoples. This study documented perspectives of practitioners on the value and application of Indigenous-centered quantitative methodology for health research. In fall 2024, we surveyed 49 members of academic, governmental, and Tribal organizations in the US and Canada who use quantitative science for Indigenous health research. Most respondents had a doctoral degree (82%) and worked in academia (69%). White identity was reported by 59%, and 43% reported Indigenous identity using a total response approach. Most respondents endorsed a belief that greater power for Indigenous Peoples in quantitative health science decision-making at all stages would increase self-determination (89%), actionability of research (87%), and health benefits (77%) for Indigenous communities. These proportions were even greater (100%, 91%, and 91%, respectively) among respondents who identified as Indigenous. Respondents were split as to whether Indigenous-centered quantitative health science methodology already exists. Among those who said that it does, a majority said that it was not easy to access or to implement. Nearly all of those who were not aware of such resources felt that they would be valuable. These results indicate both the existence of applicable resources as well as significant potential for improving their translation to practitioners. Our study concludes with a recommendation to reorient the quantitative process to support Indigenous cultural safety and ensure that its benefits are fully accessible to Indigenous communities.