Benefits of Afrocentricity in Exploring Social Phenomena: Understanding Afrocentricity as a Social Science Methodology

Reviewing the writings of the foremost Afrocentric theorists, this article seeks to detail a foundation for employing appropriate methods, principles, and frameworks through which researchers can interpret Africana phenomena. The objective is to illustrate the benefits of an Afrocentric methodology in developing, conceptualizing and operationalizing social research projects. This research details the components of Afrocentricity as the structural methodology that engenders a culturally appropriate conceptualization of Africana reality. Moreover, as a methodological framework, Afrocentricity serves as a governing tool of active agency, which informs new approaches in interpreting social phenomenon and can aid in the redevelopment of social science research. Previous interpretive frameworks used to study Africana phenomena have focused on cultural notions derived from social science disciplines and have therefore concluded that Africana people are innately culturally, politically and economically inadequate and deficient. However, normative social science approaches lack a culturally appropriate and realistic interpretation of Africana reality and researchers who use them do not take into consideration the historical, social, or contemporary experiences of Africana people. Reviewing the writings of