Epistemological approach to research. Philosophical Approaches to Research Methods 2022-10-27
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Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired. In the context of research, an epistemological approach refers to the assumptions and beliefs about the nature of knowledge and how it can be obtained that guide the research process.
One major epistemological approach is positivism, which holds that knowledge can be objectively and scientifically obtained through empirical observation and experimentation. Researchers who adopt a positivist approach believe that the external world can be studied objectively and that there is a single, objective reality that can be discovered through research.
Another epistemological approach is constructivism, which holds that knowledge is actively constructed by individuals through their experiences and interactions with the world. Researchers who adopt a constructivist approach believe that knowledge is subjective and shaped by the individual's personal experiences and cultural context. They also believe that multiple perspectives and interpretations of reality can exist, and that research should aim to understand these subjective experiences.
A third epistemological approach is interpretivism, which emphasizes the role of language and culture in shaping our understanding of the world. Researchers who adopt an interpretivist approach believe that meaning is culturally and socially constructed, and that research should focus on understanding the ways in which people interpret and make sense of their experiences.
Regardless of the epistemological approach taken, all research involves some level of subjectivity and bias. It is important for researchers to be aware of their own assumptions and beliefs about the nature of knowledge and to be transparent about them in their research. This allows for a more rigorous and unbiased approach to research, and helps to ensure that the findings are accurately and fairly represented.
In conclusion, the epistemological approach taken in research can have a significant impact on the way that knowledge is obtained and understood. It is important for researchers to be aware of their own assumptions and beliefs about the nature of knowledge, and to be transparent about them in their research in order to ensure a rigorous and unbiased approach.
Epistemology
American Journal of Education, 100 2. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. This article describes, 1. Social Sciences, 7 3 , 44. This act, consequently, creates bias and distortion ultimately displaying the inherent subjectivity of both approaches. Communication Research: Techniques, Methods and Applications, 2nd Edition. Multi-Modal Approaches Emerging scholarship in engineering education has begun to re-examine quantitative methods, particularly in using multi-modal approaches to understand cognition and emotion in authentic contexts.
epistemological and ontological consideration in Research
Cluster analysis 5 th ed. For example, if you only accept observable phenomena based on data and facts as knowledge, your research philosophy would be positivism. Rather, this paper focuses on the utility of person-centered approaches and how the results assert the assumptions of person-centered analysis. It is clear that from the view or perspective of McNabb the two methodologies should not be mixed because they have lot of differences and by having those differences they cannot be treated compatible. Data collected from different methods cannot be simply added together to produce a unitary or rounded reality.
PloS one, 5 4 , e10068. By conducting research researchers use different techniques and tools of data collecting and also use different tools for analysis the data and derive the finding. Data-driven but not person-centered. Intrepritivism argues that facts are not generated in such a manner as generated in natural science. For generating and testing reliability researchers must consider many tools.
Additionally, this approach runs a risk of neglecting or ignoring individuals whose understanding and interpretation related to phenomena could reveal a lot of truth about reality Kester, 2011. Journal of Engineering Education, 97 2 , 163—175. Qualitative research in the study of leadership, United Kingdom, Emerald Group Publishing Mckenzie, J. Bryman 2008 argues that epistemological considerations focus on use of the same principle, procedures and ethos followed by natural science while conducting the research in the field of social science. He advances the notion that underdevelopment in most underdeveloped regions of the world is generally a result of interaction or linkages between the developed and the underdeveloped world.
Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods: Considering the possibilities for enhancing the study of chronic diseases. One can get the views of different people at a time. HP wrote sections on person-centered analyses. Getting over the quantitative-qualitative debate. People interpret the phenomena in their own way which is the knowledge generating source.
Epistemological Perspectives In Qualitative Research — Lisa Hautly
London, UK: Sage Publications. The qualitative methods are best used while carrying out research on human behaviour, or related subjective spheres where educational research is part Richards, 2003. Considering the foundational epistemic framings of quantitative research can expand the kinds of questions that can be asked and answered. We also provide an example of a person-centered analysis in engineering education to illustrate the possibilities of this approach. Niles 2011:154 states that the philosophy of quantitative research is based on ontological assumption of relatively stable reality. The model consists of multiple layers that are arranged in a way similar to the layers of an onion. However, Schwandt 1998 cautions that examination of these methods cannot explain the approach because it is primarily concerned with knowing and being, focus on the methods masks a full understanding of the relationship between the method and the inquiry process.
Ultimately, all knowledge produced by research is interpreted subjectively underpinned by political and different ideologies thus disputing the objectivity stance taken by the positivist approach Zaman, 2016. Depending on the epistemological and ontological influence on the researcher, he or she chooses either a qualitative or quantitative approaches. Learn More Ontology on the other hand involves nature of being, reality, and existence Freimuth, 2009. Changing the conversation: Messages for improving public understanding of engineering. One can, of course lose sight of the way interpretations of qualitative data depend on qualitative understanding and vice versa and present ones findings as though they were arrived by uncontaminated use of single approach, but this kind of self deception is either helpful or necessary Wilson 1986:40. Thus, researchers use epistemological consideration while designing research projects. Empiricism philosophy guides the research for use of different experimental tools for the collecting data and developed conclusions from the analysis of data.
A guide to ontology, epistemology, and philosophical perspectives for interdisciplinary researchers
However, you are not expected to discuss it in great details in business studies. As such, we approach our research and this discussion from a pragmatic epistemology. The colors shown in the map above represent the density of the map. Studies in Engineering Education 2, no. . Contradiction: Where qualitative data and quantitative findings conflict. R 2016 , research can be defined as an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solution to it.
London: Avebury Bibber, N. This in turn influences the axiology with the approach asserting that the inquiry process is value-laden and as a result the knower cannot separate their experiences from what is being studied Denzin and Lincoln, 2005. A race re-imaged, intersectional approach to academic mentoring: Exploring the perspectives and responses of womxn in science and engineering research. Person-centered analyses can help reveal relationships and patterns between large amounts of information by allowing discovery to be emergent. This section starts from the clarification of research questions to explain why the qualitative methods are employed.
Methodology And Epistemological Approach Of My Research Essay
In other words, how do we know what we know? The theoretical perspective of a study plays a fundamental role in determining the kind of approach to be used in explaining reality associated with a particular epistemology Crotty, 2003. As an example, if a researcher is an interpretivist at heart, he or she may apply techniques such as focus group discussions, interviews, diaries, or field notes. We tried to make it clear in the article the blog post is based on that we wanted to bring attention to philosophy; it was obviously impossible to do the discipline of philosophy any real justice within 6,000 words. Quality in interpretive engineering education research: Reflections on an example study. The Sage handbook of qualitative research.
