Lesson 1: Philosophical Worldviews in Research

Abstraction
1. What is research? What is its nature?
 Research is a systematic and methodical process that investigates a
phenomenon, addresses an issue, answers a particular question and solves
problems, all of which help increase existing knowledge (Sekaran, 1992: 4). Also
simply means finding answers to our questions around us. Research enables us
to see and understand how and why a situation or a problem. It helps us to
discover new things and ideas.
2. What are the three philosophical world views or research paradigms?
 The three philosophical world view or research paradigms are Positivistic,
Interpretive, and Critical paradigms.
3. What is a paradigm? What is a research paradigm?
 Kuhn defines paradigm as “an integrated cluster of substantive concepts,
variables and problems attached with corresponding methodological approaches
and tools” (cited in Flick, 2009). A research paradigm is “the set of common
beliefs and agreements shared between scientist about how problems should be
understood and addressed” (Kuhn, 1970)
4. What do we mean by epistemology? Compare epistemology with ontology and discuss
the difference between these two terms.
 Epistemology is the study of knowledge. The meaning exclusively rests in
objects, not in the researcher‟s consciousness, of those objects and the
researcher aims to obtain that meaning (Crotty, 1998). While ontology is the
study of beings or their being. This is also evident from the researchers‟ claim
that human beings could be studied as a scientific entity in a world that exists
independent of human consciousness (Cohen et al., 2007, Grix, 2004 and Crotty,
2003).
5. What are the ontological, epistemological description of each of the three research
paradigms? Prepare a matrix describing each research paradigm.

Ontological Epistemological

Positivist For a positivist, ). The

reality is "out epistemology of
there" in the the positivist
world paradigm is
independent of dualist and
the researcher objectivist, in
(Pring, 2000a, p. which the
59) and investigator and
essentially the investigated
discovered exist as
through scientific independent
and conventional entities and the
 methodologies former is able to
(Guba & Lincoln, study the object
1994: Bassey, or the
1995). investigated
without
influencing each
other (Guba &
Lincoln, 1994).
Interpretive Ontology of Interpretivism
interpretive espouses
paradigm is subjective and
relativist. Realities transactional
exist in the form epistemology,
of multiple and therefore, the
intangible mental inquirer and the
constructions that inquired are fused
are based on into a single
experience, local (monistic) entity
and specific in and their
nature and interaction leads
dependent for to certain
their form and findings.
content on the Subjectivity
persons or groups serves as the only
holding the means of
constructions answering the
(Guba & Lincoln, constructions kept
1994). by the individuals
Interpretivists do which is thrust
not believe that upon us by
reality is "out human
there”, rather conditions.
they view it as
socially
constructed.
Critical Historical realism The epistemology
is the ontological of the critical
stance of the paradigm is
critical theorists. transactional and
Reality is shaped subjectivist which
by social, political, is based on real
cultural, ethnic world phenomena
and gender and associated
values; that was with societal
deemed plastic knowledge.
once and has
become
crystallized over
 time (ibid).

6. Discuss the different methodologies and methods under each of the research paradigms.
Prepare also a matrix for this.

Positivist Positivist methodology is concerned with

explaining relationships among various
phenomena. The scientific paradigm seeks
predictions and generalisations, so different
methods often generate quantitative data.
Examples are: experiments, quasi-
experiments, standardised tests, scales,
questionnaires, closed ended questionnaires,
structured interviews and descriptions of
phenomena employing standardised
observation tools (Pring, 2000, p. 34).
However, it is on the researchers‟ discretion to
choose a method appropriate to their
paradigmatic stance and design of the study to
present and analyse the data statistically
(Bryman, 2008; Creswell, 2009).
Interpretive Interpretive methodology seeks an
understanding of phenomena from
individual‟s perspective, investigating
interaction among individuals as well as the
historical and cultural contexts which people
inhabit (Creswell, 2009, p. 8). The qualitative
aspect of these techniques presents human beings as
the primary research instrument. These technique
include phenomenology, grounded theory,
ethnography, case study, historical and
documentary research and ethno-
methodology.

Critical Critical methodology aims to interrogate values

and assumptions, to expose hegemony and
injustice, to challenge conventional social
structures and to engage in social action
(Crotty, 1998, p. 157). Critical researchers may
adopt qualitative, quantitative or mixed
methods to design their research studies in
order to critically examine the realities from a
cultural, historical and political stance.
Triangulation can be used to obtain more valid
and reliable results (Mertens, 2005).

7. What are the criticisms of each of the research paradigms? Discuss each of these.
  Positivist paradigm-
 Interpretive paradigm
 Critical paradigm
8. What is mixed method approach in research?

Application. Study the following research abstract and determine the paradigm that was
used. Provide justification for your answer.

1. Interpretive paradigm
2. Interpretive paradigm
3. Critical paradigm