There are different ways in which researchers can use in order to establish the theoretical hypothesis they sought to establish. Before setting out on a research, the researcher must choose a research problem, the question to be addressed by the research, the strategy to be employed in the research, establish any assumption or hypothesis evolving around the research problem and the outcome expected.
According to Blaike Norman in his book the ‘Approaches to social enquiry’, there are about ten research paradigms that have been classified into classical and contemporary research paradigms. The classical research paradigms are; Positivism, Critical Rationalism, Classical Hermeneutics, and Interpretivism. The question that these research paradigms seek to answer is if the methods of natural science can be applied to the social sciences? Positivism as a classical research paradigm invented in 1970 by Sociologist Comte identified that positivism was based on the thesis of naturalism and was characterized by phenomenalism (uniqueness of experience that relies on scientific knowledge), nominalism (asserts that notions on which observation cannot be done have no existence unless it is a name), atomism (object of experience is discrete and independent) general laws (avers that scientific theories are a bunch of law-like statements), value judgments and normative statements (facts and values must be separated; value judgment has no pragmatic content of validity, verification (how to settle the truth or falsity of the scientific statement), and the last characteristic is causation which asserts that there is no causation in nature; only constant coincidences. Thus in summary, positivism approves that methods of natural science can be utiliz...
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...ocial structure that constrain their actions. The paradigm has the capability of a multifaceted analysis at both macro and micro levels. Contemporary Hermeneutics propounded on by Rorty McDowell, hermeneutics seeks to establish a new ground that is free of relativism and skepticism. It fundamentally seeks to perceive the moving horizon engaged in a strand of dialogue of all human though. Social Realism incorporates the regulation and stability of social theories against radical changes. In trying to explain the human affairs, the theory becomes pragmatic and relies on positivism (applies models and methods from the natural science to social affair); its belief is that relationships can be identified and measured using science. (Blaike 2007 pp 134-177)
Works Cited
Blaike Norman. Approaches to Social Enquiry: advancing knowledge. USA: Polity Press, 2007, 2nd Ed.
I did not find myself strongly sided with any of the four paradigms. I felt that findings from any of the paradigms could provide beneficial information in different areas of education research. Constructivist researchers focus on understanding the people and the world they are studying; transformative researchers focus their work on people facing social oppression; while pragmatic researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods to research the questions they want answered.
Using two theoretical approaches to social research namely, Positivism and Standpoint theory, I have demonstrated implicit connections in their respective assumptions. The ontological, epistemological and methodical assumptions are all integral facets of the understanding of social research. Once these are understood one can then draw conclusions as to which type or types of methods are appropriate to use.
Sociology is described as “looking at the world a particular way” (Matthewman & West-Newman, 2013) When opening your mind to this, it is then easier to discover the reasons why we do certain things and why things are the way that they are. There are three main schools of sociological theorising, which are conflict theory (creating a social hierachy), Micro Interactionism (studying social interactions), and Functionalism (how social events contribute to social order). These ideas are defined by sociologists Karl Marx, Max Weber, Durkheim, Irving Goffman, and ---- in an effort to reveal the inner functioning’s of the world.
In social science, there are several paradigms, each with its own unique ontological and epistemological perspective. Examples of paradigms include positivism which focuses on objectivity, know ability, and deductive logic. Its assumption is that society can and should be studied empirically and scientifically (Ritzer, 2004). Critical paradigm’s main emphasis is on power, inequality, and social change. It is of the assumption that social science can never be truly value-free and should be conducted with the express goal of social change in mind (Calhoun, 2007). Social constructionism paradigm’ s main emphasis is that truth as varying, socially constructed, and ever-changing and is of the assumption that reality is created collectively and that social context and interaction frame our realities (Berger, 1966).
In the modern-day sociology has grown to be a large field with many different concepts and theories. However, the ways sociology is shaped can be narrowed down to three theoretical perspectives; the first of these perspectives being known as “symbolic interactionism”. The basic meaning of this lies in the idea that everything and everyone we know in life we symbolize in the way it relates to ourselves. So, for instance the way you see a best friend or even a father in your life is only a symbol or representation orchestrated by the society you’ve been raised in. Another common perspective is the idea of “functional analysis”. This entails that society is made up of one body with every standard or thought process being a separate part that must
Primary source data collection relies on structured interviews and questionnaires, which many argue do not offer enough fluidity to relate to everyday lives and therefore are not valid research tools (Bryman 2001, p.77). Critics also continue to associate positivism and quantitative methods failing to see that quantitative researchers do not apply the scientific method to all data and can account for influencing variables (Bryman 2001, p.77; Matthews and Ross 2010, p.29). Quantitative methods in the social sciences were highlighted by the positivist epistemology during the mid 20th century; however, Jones (2010) explains how the principles of positivist epistemology are not fully consistent with modern quantitative methods in the social sciences (Matthews and Ross 2010, p.27). Positivist research parallels that of the natural sciences, where data collection and hypothesis testing is conducted from information that can be observed and recorded by the senses (Matthews and Ross 2010, p.27). Because information can only be observed, positivists look for regularities and explain causation when one event regularly follows another, which is why many will criticize quantitative methods if they associate them with the positivist approach to research (Jones
Positivism is a philosophical theory that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena to their properties and relations. Positivism also holds that society like the physical world operates according to general laws. The modern sense of the approach was formulated by the philosopher Auguste Comte in the early 19th century. Comte argued that the physical world operates according to gravity and other absolute laws. Auguste Comte (1798–1857) is regarded as one of the founders of modern sociology. He coined the term sociologie, derived from the Latin wordssocius
Research is systematic way to find out facts and knowledge as Kothari (2006) has analyzed that research is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment; the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. However there are two types of researches one is by Purpose and other is by method. The type by purpose falls into three categorize such as Basic, Applied and Action Research.
Many sociologists come to a disagreement and different approaches to the Sociological concept of positivism and antipositivism. Positivism is the scientific study of social patterns. This pertains to the use of scientific methods to get a more clear understanding of the natural world. Auguste Comte was the founder of this concept. Comte believed the way that society interacts with individuals using positivism would usher in a new “positivist” age of history. Comte concept of positivism is still relevant today. Since then positivism has been expanded and became the foundation for quantitative sociology. Quantitative sociology is the use of empirical evidence to gain an understanding of human patterns and behavior.
In Horkheimer’s “Traditional and Critical Theory”he begins with the question “What is theory?”. He explains how theory is something that should be based on fact and should not conflict with facts. He also makes the point that experiences should line up directly with theory, and if they do not one should be re-examined. A theory is a set of propositions that are only true if they equally match with the object they represent. In this essay he makes a distinction between traditional and critical theory. He begins by making the claim that the type of theory used in natural sciences is traditional theory. Traditional theory is mainly focuses on the things that are true or things that can be agreed upon, experiences are not heavily weighted. Like natural sciences, these things are without contradiction, they are facts. Social theory on the other hand is less concerned with facts and more with reason. In this essay I will be examining the distinction between the two in the social sciences and why Horkheimer feels this distinction is important.
To achieve the research objectives the process of research must be carried out by certain principles and to use appropriate methods. It is very important that the methods used to obtain the desired results, and this starts to clearly define the objectives and what we need to know, and also by choosing the methods and tools to help us and to ease the process. (Kumar, 2008)
Human existence, behavior, and knowledge are the foundational queries to the understanding of the perception of society, or lack thereof, in the world today. Ontology, epistemology, and human nature create the discursive facts, fallacies, and surrealistic conceptualization of the natural world, the things that exist, the complex social construction of knowledge, and the impact on society. These notions can be reduced to simply reaching for the answers of why, how, and what creates a being, why they exist, what is meant by existence, the barring of knowledge, and its influence on "natural" existence. The equation in which forces the complex breakdown of human nature derives from the theories of ontology and epistemology. The science of sociology
Research today has become a central part of Sociology. Research in Sociology faces numerous puzzles and suspicions; challenges blind faith and unravel the mystery that surrounds the truth. According to Pauline V. Young “...sociological research is a systematic method of exploring ,analysing and conceptualising social life in order to extend ,correct ,or verify knowledge,
The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings
Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,