At every stage in a research, researcher’s makes assumptions about human knowledge and the nature of realities they encounter. The assumptions of the researcher world view will underpin or shape the research question, strategy and the methodology (Crotty, 1998; Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2012). Research is a systematic investigation, an inquiry whereby data are collected, analysed and interpreted in an effort to understand or describe a phenomenon (Burns, 1977 cited in Mackenzie & Knipe, 2006).
The debate of philosophy/paradigm has characterised the research study over the years and this overarching term relate to the how knowledge are develop and the nature of that knowledge (Saunders et al., 2012). Research philosophy/paradigm is a broad
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The philosophical positioning of a study is explicitly and implicitly vital to the success of any research. Without aligning toward a certain research paradigm, there is no basis for subsequent choices regarding methodology or research design and methods. In other words, research philosophy is the connecting link in the whole research process. That is ontology (what is real or nature of reality), epistemology (what is acceptable knowledge), methodology (methods or rules by which a research is undertaken) and axiology (role of values and ethics in a research).
However, ontology is the researcher’s perception of what is known and the reality in the field of study and ontology allows the researcher to emphasize on the importance of what has been researched, (Huhta and Huhta 2014, Alvesson and Skoldberg, 2009). The "nature of
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This allows the researcher to emphasize the importance of what has been researched, (Huhta and Huhta 2014, Alvesson and Skoldberg, 2009). "Nature of reality" on other hand is the distinction between the social and natural world. The social worlds are external and independent of the social actors concerned; this is known as objectivism (Crotty 1998). Epistemology is what is considered acceptable knowledge in a particular field of study. Epistemology places emphasis on the role and nature of the relationship between the researcher and the knowable. Again, there are two aspect of ontology namely objectivism and subjectivism. Objectivist position portrays the notion that the social entities are external to the social actors (Crotty 1998). The social world is open to subjective interpretations which may affect what is in the natural world and individual will interpreted situation differently, depending on their world views. While subjectivist position asserts that social phenomena are created from the perceptions and consequent actions of social actors. These views which may be socially constructed are known as social constructivism (Saunders et al 2012 p
Based on the preceding ontological and epistemological assumptions a researcher then makes methodological assumptions. Having decided on exactly what is to be studied the researcher then decides how the research can best be managed thus formulating a plan of action. Considerations include whether the research used should be primary or secondary. Whether one will test an existing hypothesis or whether one will construct a theory after having collated evidence. Finally one can draw conclusions as to which strategy to implement with the ultimate goal of producing the type of knowledge that is required. This then results in the type of method or methods of research to be used.
This essay starts with definition of traditional epistemology, followed by an explanation of how class, gender, and race can affect what one can know. Traditional epistemology can be defined as all knowers, regardless of who you are or what your social situation is, are bound by the same cognitive norms. (lecture) Charles Mills however, in the article “Alternative Epistemologies”, argues that who you are and your social situation change your access to knowledge. He criticizes that traditional epistemology fails to consider how an individual’s social situation can affect what he can know. Those in non-dominant social groups have epistemic access especially for knowing about oppression. In this essay I will attempt to explain Mills argument
The research question is the first and foremost initial step in the research process, because it defines the expected outcomes and drives the project design. So it should be clear and concise once the research question is formulated, the next is defining the terms and concepts used in the research process. A literature review is needed to clarify issues, gives an understanding to the researcher how others have formulated similar research questions and defines concepts.
Within each of those parts exists a continuum that can be as different as plus and minus, or as circumstantial as possible. With these components metatheory tries to explain our decisions regarding research designs, methods, and even our analysis. Ontology is study of the nature of reality. It wants to answer how do we know what we know, what do we believe exists,
How we approach the question of knowledge is pivotal. If the definition of knowledge is a necessary truth, then we should aim for a real definition for theoretical and practical knowledge. Methodology examines the purpose for the definition and how we arrived to it. The reader is now aware of the various ways to dissect what knowledge is. This entails the possibility of knowledge being a set of truths; from which it follows that one cannot possibly give a single definition. The definition given must therefore satisfy certain desiderata , while being strong enough to demonstrate clarity without losing the reader. If we base our definition on every counter-example that disproves our original definition then it becomes ad hoc. This is the case for our current defini...
In inquiring on theoretical framework to serve as the base for the research and analysis at the core of our dissertation it is crucial to comprehend the construction and the element directing the theory we are adopting for months to come. Stewart, Harte and Sambrook (2010, p223) have determined the relation that the theory plays with the evolution of the research process and its designer “In summary then the concept of theory is inextricably connected to notions of science that, in origin at least, refers to investigating the world according to a set of rules and principles.” Those rules and principles will be the guide and limitations to direct the inquisition once adopted and accepted by the authors and its advisors the dissertation will be bound to follow the direction set by the theoretical framework. We will establish the foundation of our paper and setting two main paradigms and further decide which one will be the more pertinent.
Truth and beliefs contribute in building the knowledge of a person. Cogent reasons for the beliefs convert the beliefs into knowledge. However, sometimes the beliefs are actually assumption, so they may be wrong. Truth is the facts known from different sources. Something can be considered as knowledge, only if it is true. The word epistemology refers to studying the source of knowledge. The epistemology helps in understanding the process of development of knowledge, sources of knowledge and makes distinctions between belief and actual truth. I critically examined and analyzed the origin and the process of acquiring the knowledge for the two essays I wrote earlier. One essay, an analytical one, was written on the subject of increasing prison population and improper justice system. The second essay was written on the subject of human resource management. To develop the knowledge and understanding I demonstrated in the essays, I had to search for resources, rationalize the information gained and evaluate it in conjunction with my personal beliefs.
According to (Schmidts, 2001, Miller and Fredericks, 2002) the epistemological reflection does not seek universality or a finished discipline. The challenges faced by most researchers is to intend to know are unprecedented, registered, observed, understood by existing theories and concepts by available methodological strategies (Vasilachis de Gialdino, 2007).
In this paper, I will define quantitative and qualitative research methods and provide examples in the context of social issues which will hopefully provide insight into how this methods are properly applied.
What if everything that you perceive— people, the world, the universe — was not as it seems? Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration. Defined narrowly, epistemology is the study of knowledge and justified belief. As the study of knowledge, epistemology is concerned with the following questions: What are the necessary and sufficient conditions of knowledge? What are its sources? What is its structure, and what are its limits ("Epistemology ")?
Any research problem in social, behavioral and human sciences conforms to some philosophical assumptions and a specific epistemological stance which influence and guide research practice (Crotty, 1998; Creswell, 2015; Patton, 2015). According to Crotty (1998), epistemology “provide(s) researchers with a sense of stability and direction as they go on to do their own building; that is, as they move towards understanding and expounding the research process after their own fashion in forms that suit their particular research purposes” (p. 2). In other words, we as researchers, need to have a good knowledge about multiple epistemologies that underpin any educational research in, social sciences (Bryan, 2012).
First a person must decide and realize where their beliefs lie. Also it is important to understand what both Ontology and Epistemology mean. According to Hatch (2013), ontology is defined as a “branch of philosophy that studies assumptions about existence and definitions of reality” (p.11). While this quote allows one to know the definition of ontology, it does not delve
Research philosophy, refers to the development of knowledge adopted by the researchers in their research (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). In other words, it is the theory that used to direct the researcher for conducting the procedure of research design, research strategy, questionnaire design and sampling (Malhotra, 2009). It is very important to have a clear understanding of the research philosophy so that we could examine the assumptions about the way we view the world, which are contained in the research philosophy we choose, knowing that whether they are appropriate or not (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), three major ways of thinking about research philosophy are examined: ontology, epistemology and axiology. Each of them carries significant differences which will have an impact on the way we consider the research procedures. Ontology, “is concerned with nature of reality”, while epistemology “concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study and axiology “studies judgements about value” (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009, p110, p112, p116). This study is intent on creating some “facts” from objective evaluations which are made by the subjects. Therefore, epistemology will be chosen for this study as the way of thinking about the research philosophy.
Epistemology and Social Science Social sciences, as all sciences, have their own epistemology, methodology and philosophy. Epistemology is the study of the foundations of knowledge and philosophy is the theoretical background of each science. There have been many criticisms about the substance of the social sciences especially from the positivists. They try all the time to convince everybody that a science which has no rules and natural laws can not be called ‘science’. Epistemology and philosophy function as repulsion to the attempts of the positivists.
Epistemology, also known as theory of knowledge is the part of philosophy that discusses the view and nature of knowledge. Epistemology is an interesting element of philosophy, since it leads to unique questions such as what is knowledge and truth, as well as what is the source of knowledge? Epistemology helps us to better understand the process and development of knowledge. Also, it demonstrates a clearer viewpoint towards the sources of knowledge. This element of philosophy is critical, since it allows individuals to make more logical and practical distinctions between belief and truths. In many ways, I agree with John Locke’s theory of tabula rasa that the mind is born as a blank slate. I personally believe that developing both knowledge