Research is knowledge construction (Mertens, 2008). Researchers stand for different paradigms- positivism, post-positivism, constructivism, critical theory, participatory (Lincoln, Lynham, & Guba, 2011). A paradigm is a lens of thinking about the worldview that has a valid contribution to research. The paradigm is the skylight through which one can view in the world. It is a composition of individual’s values, beliefs, assumptions, behavior and attitude, verbal and nonverbal expression to observe the reality or truth in the world. The word ‘paradigm’ is drawn from Greek word ‘paradeigma’ (Kuhn, 1970b). It means ‘model’ or ‘pattern’. Guba and Lincoln made an important contribution to describe nature of five basic paradigms. Paradigm is a …show more content…
My position in paradigm: Participatory
Willis opined that each paradigm has a different history and each paradigm has been adopted historically to address a particular problem in social science (Willis & Jost, 2007). I have chosen my paradigm based on my research background and working experience. I have taken my position of participatory paradigm. Participatory paradigm is a relatively new concept of paradigm in social science theories(Heron & Reason, 1997). It is derived from qualitative research tradition. Participatory paradigm has been growing in recent years and particularly in the developing countries. Chambers(1986: 1) describes participatory paradigm as “…[c]oherent and mutually supportive pattern of concepts, values, methods, and action amenable to wide application”. It is based on the principle of participation and calls attention to bottom up approach. It treats society or people as research participants rather than research subjects (Brown, 1985). Participatory approach deals with the relation between who perform research and who are research subjects. A vital
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In this paradigm, research will be controlled by research participants as well as researchers. The most vital principle of participatory paradigm is to investigate and take to mean the views and experiences of people from their own viewpoint and allows them to take on measures to get better their circumstances. It deals with participation and self-development. It is people-centered. It is characterized as a “democratic”, “collaborative”, “participative” and “non-hierarchic”. When support of international aid is implemented in developing countries to intervene in the social crisis like poverty, climate change, environment, natural calamity, governance and to establish communities of practice, the researcher should belong to the knowledge of participatory paradigm. Taking account of local knowledge by the participatory research paradigm is very much significant to have the greater outcome of any project and program in developing
A paradigm as defined in the dictionary is an example serving as a model. In his book, 7 habits of highly effective teens , Sean Covey compares paradigms to glasses and says that if the paradigm, or perception, is incomplete it is like wearing the wrong prescription. One example Covey gave is:
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.
...ard a richer view of the scientific method: The role of conceptual analysis. American Psychologist , 62 (7), 671.
Paradigm was coined by KUHN (1970). A paradigm is a world view, a general perspective on the complexities of the real 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).
Masterman, M. (1970). The Nature of a Paradigm. In I. Lakatos, & A. Musgrave (Eds.), Criticism and The Growth of Knowledge (pp. 59-90). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
paradigms help scientific communities to bind their discipline in that they help the scientist to do several things. they help to create avenues fo inquiry, formulate questions, select methods with which to examine questions and define areas fo relevance. Kuhn writes “In the absence fo a paradigm or some candidate for paradigm, all the facts that could possibly pertain to the development of a given science are likely to seem equally relevant” (Kuhn 15). what he was trying to show was that there must be a way to limit the direction of one’s research based on what is considered to be known from the past.
Paradigms are belief systems that establish our actions patterns, practices and thoughts. Webster Dictionary defines paradigm as "an example or pattern: small, self-contained, simplified examples that we use to illustrate procedures, processes, and theoretical points." The most quoted definition of paradigm is Thomas Kuhn 's (1962, 1970) concept in The Nature of Science Revolution, paradigm as the underlying assumptions and intellectual structure upon which research and development in a field of inquiry is based. My understanding of Kuhn’s quote is that paradigms are a set of scientific theories that are well
Qualitative research was designed as a way to be directly connected with the subjects researched. Participant researchers may choose to merely observe and collect data or to be an active participant. Covert participation has the advantage of reducing the “reactive effects” of the social setting or group (Bachman & Schutt, 2012). Most researchers who use the participation method of research will often strike a balance between participation and observation. Through participation, an observer may gain the trust of the research subjects which can provide more fruitful results. Some research may however be unethical or a violation of law. A good researcher should use prudence beforehand when crafting their research design.
Perri 6 & Christine B., 2012. Principles of Methodology: Research Design in Social Science. London: Sage.
According to Thomas Kuhn, who was an American physicist, historian and a philosopher of science and the first person to share this idea with the world trough his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, "A paradigm is what members of a scientific community, and they alone, share". So in other words it is a scientific proven fact.
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.
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.
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,
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