Work Group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology, Symposium on Research and Evaluation Methodology: Lifespan Issues Related to American Indians/Alaska Natives with Disabilities (Washington, DC, April 26-27, 2002).

This first symposium of the Work Group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology (AIRPEM) explored American Indian and Alaska Native cultural considerations in relation to "best practices" in research and program evaluation. These cultural considerations include the importance of tribal consultation on research projects and the need for attention to Native cultural factors in general and to the great cultural diversity of Indian nations. Following an introductory section, part 2 contains five papers: "A Brief History of and Future Considerations for Research in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" (Jamie D. Davis, Kelly Keemer); "Research in Indian Country: Challenges and Changes" (Walter Hillabrant); "Cultural Competence Approaches to Evaluation in Tribal Communities" (Paulette Running Wolf, Robin Soler, Brigitte Manteuffel, Diane Sondheimer, Rolando L. Santiago, Jill Shepard Erickson); "Community-Based Research and American Indians with Disabilities: Learning Together Methods That Work" (Catherine A. Marshall, Sharon R. Johnson, Elizabeth Kendall, Howard Busby, Robert Schacht, Calvin Hill); and "Learning from and Working with Yup'ik Professionals" (Jennifer Olson, Philip D. Olson, Teresa Pangaea, Katherine W. Sterling, Lenea K. M. Pierzchanowski). Part 3 contains cross-cutting critiques and discussions: "Focus on Research Methods" (Spero M. Manson) and related discussion; "Summary and Overview for Day One" (Holly Echo-Hawk); "Focus on Cultural Issues in Research: Developing and Implementing Native American Postcolonial Participatory Action Research" (Joseph B. Stone) and related discussion; "Focus on Implications for Policy Practice" (Velma Garcia Mason) and related discussion; and "Final Discussion and Summary Comments" (Holly Echo-Hawk). Appendices contain lists of symposium participants and AIRPEM network participants, a symposium chapter review coding sheet, and "A Model for Conducting Research with American Indian Participants" (Justin D. McDonald). Papers contain references. Author profiles are included. (SV)