Researching gambling with Aboriginal people

Socio-economic impact studies can present methodological problems, especially when the focus complex or value-laden. As well, the context of such studies can also influence their complexity, for example if they involve research among young people or particular cultural groups. These problems are compounded when the research methods used are themselves culturally-based or impose cultural assumptions and practices on the research.

This paper is intended to offer some reflections about researching gambling among Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is not reporting any findings about this research, as it is still ongoing and will not be completed until 1998. But at this stage, the researchers are in a position to offer some observations about the strengths and limitations of research methodologies for a project such as this. We conclude that lessons arising from such observations and reflections are worth considering in other research projects, whether about gambling or other activities among different cultural groups.