Critical Review of Epistemological Awareness and Methodological Rigor in

Qualitative Research

By: Saqib Mehmood

To: dr. Aliya Mueen Zafar

Comsats University Islamabad

 Literature Review

A literature review is a foundational element of academic research, essential for advancing knowledge,
theory development, and strengthening fields of study [Page 2], Page 3]. Webster and Watson emphasize the
importance of conducting a structured literature review to identify critical knowledge gaps and motivate
researchers to address these gaps [Page 2]. They stress the need for conceptual structuring to create a
coherent narrative and highlight the significance of aligning theoretical perspectives with methodological
decisions [Page 5].

Koro-Ljungberg Diane, Smith and Sharon delve into the critical examination of epistemological awareness
and the instantiation of methods in qualitative research within the field of education [Page 7]. Their
systematic review of education research articles underscores the importance of theoretical clarity,
methodological coherence, and the impact of uninformed ambiguity in research practices [Page 8]. The
authors emphasize the essential connection between research questions, theoretical perspectives, and
methodological decisions to ensure methodological congruence and enhance the credibility of research
findings [Page 8].

Through their analysis of decision junctures in reviewed articles, Koro-Ljungberg et al. identify instances of
unclear theoretical references and epistemological positions, highlighting the need for researchers to
articulate their theoretical frameworks to avoid ambiguity. They stress the implications of methodological
shortcomings, such as missing design details and insufficiently described identifiers, on research outcomes.
The researchers advocate for a more rigorous approach to methodological awareness and epistemological
considerations in qualitative research to improve research practices and enhance the quality of educational
research.

By integrating the insights from both sets of articles, researchers in Information Systems and education can
enhance the quality and impact of their literature reviews and research practices. Emphasizing conceptual
structuring, theoretical clarity, methodological coherence, and methodological awareness can lead to more
robust and credible research outcomes. This comprehensive approach not only strengthens the theoretical
foundations of research but also contributes to the advancement of knowledge and practice in various fields.

Some bullet Points from the Articles

1. Mirka Koro-Ljungberg et al.'s article emphasizes the importance of theoretical clarity and methodological
coherence in qualitative research within education, highlighting the need for aligning theoretical
perspectives with methodological decisions [Page 8].

2. Webster and Watson's article provides valuable insights into conducting a structured literature review in
Information Systems research, focusing on identifying critical knowledge gaps and motivating further
research through conceptual structuring [Page 2].

3. Koro-Ljungberg et al. could enhance their literature review by providing more explicit references to
existing literature on epistemological considerations in qualitative research to strengthen the theoretical
foundation of their analysis.

4. Webster and Watson's article could benefit from including specific examples or case studies to illustrate
the practical application of their guidelines for writing literature reviews in Information Systems research.

5. Koro-Ljungberg et al. employed a systematic review approach to analyze published journal articles from
high-impact education journals in 2006, effectively identifying instances of unclear theoretical references
and epistemological positions [Page 8].

6. Webster and Watson's methodology for guiding researchers in writing literature reviews in Information
Systems research focuses on a structured approach to identify gaps in existing knowledge and motivate
further research, but could provide more detailed discussion on practical application and potential challenges
faced during the review process.
7. Integrating insights from both articles underscores the importance of a concept-centric approach, aligning
theoretical perspectives with methodological decisions, and addressing epistemological considerations to
enhance the quality and credibility of research findings in various fields of study.