A theoretical paradigm is the identification of the underlying basis that is used to construct a scientific investigation; or, “a loose collection of logically held together assumptions, concepts, and propositions that orientates thinking and research” (Bogdan & Biklan, 1982, p. 30). Likewise, a paradigm can be defined as the “basic belief system or worldview that guides the investigation” (Guba & Lincoln, 1994, p. 105). The theoretical framework for any research is beliefs about the nature of reality (ontology), the theory of knowledge that informs the research (epistemology), and how that knowledge may be gained (methodology).
Before joining this M.Phil programme, my understanding of research methodology was limited to only qualitative,
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Another example could be, I think that what the participants respond is much important than fixing their thinking around few pre-defined responses. I began to realize that there is an opportunity for multiple meaning in every response. I also learned that for me, the focus of research is not about finding data that supports what I think is true, but about posing questions and listening to what the participants believe to be true for them. Past experience and prior knowledge form the basis for constructing new knowledge (Dewey 1933; Kelly 1963). According to constructivists, a classroom is not the only place where the teachers pour/ transmit knowledge and the learners just receive it. Conceptual change develops gradually by modifying, refining and transforming previous knowledge structures, Brooks, 1980 cited by Todd J.R, 1990. There are two broad epistemological positions: positivism and interpretivism/ constructivism. Based on the above beliefs, I will use interpretivist paradigm for my research study. Freire believes that knowledge is socially constructed, learning is an active process, and knowledge is constructed from experience. This paradigm assumes that the meaning of …show more content…
The selection of research methodology and approaches much depend on the researcher’s theoretical lens. The nature of the research question also influences the researcher for choosing the research methodology. I believe that the educational phenomena need a qualitative methodology for in-depth understating. We cannot just rely on the numbers, this needs to address the how and why questions. In qualitative research, the researchers often spend more time in the field while collecting data in close contact with the research participants. This gives the researcher and research participants’ opportunity for personal contact and partnership. Building a partnership with study participants can lead to deeper insight into the context under study and richness and depth to the data. It is less concern about generalizability. The qualitative research treats people as research participants and not as objects as in the positivist research approach. The qualitative researcher becomes an insider to get views of the research participants and is more concerned with understanding the meaning of the
A theoretical perspective or paradigm is a set of ideas that attempt to guide your thinking and explain viewpoints. Within the field of sociology, there are many paradigms. These include structural-functionalism, social conflict, feminism, symbolic interactionism, and postmodernism. As a female who appreciates a viewpoint outside of the standard male outlook, my favorite theoretical paradigm is feminist theory.
Kuhn (1996), defined a paradigm a set of theoretical concepts and research, unified by a framework that describes what is/ isn’t accepted in a specific area of scientific research. Paradigms have two distinguished aspects, namely a set of core experiments that are exemplary and therefore likely to be reproduced and underpinning preconceptions that condition the evidence collected in the experiments. However early theorists considered paradigms conceptually inappropriate for the social sciences such as psychology compared to their natural science counterparts, citing that there are no paradigms in social science as the concepts are polysemic (Kuhn, 1996; Dogan, 2001). Paradigms have also been described as a perspective of the world or worldview (Fassinger, 2005), a term used to describe a specific set of experiences, beliefs and values that the individual uses in order to interpret reality.
The theoretical framework in a research relates to the philosophical basis in which the research is executed. It also forms the link between the theoretical aspect of the research and the practical aspect of the investigation. Merten (1998) stated that it “has implications for every decision made in the research process” (p.3). Therefore, the starting point to any research proposal is to identify the methodologies (methods that can be used in the project and as well justify their choice (Crotty, 1998). The methodologies relate to “the strategy, plan of action, processes or design lying behind the choice and use of particular methods, and linking the choice and use of methods to the desired outcomes” (Crotty, 1998, p. 3).
I did not find myself strongly sided with any of the four paradigms. I felt that findings from any of the paradigms could provide beneficial information in different areas of education research. Constructivist researchers focus on understanding the people and the world they are studying; transformative researchers focus their work on people facing social oppression; while pragmatic researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods to research the questions they want answered.
Qualitative research is an approach that attempts to situate an activity that locates the observer in the world by providing the study to occur in their natural setting and by attempting to make sense of, or interpret information (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). A characteristic of qualitative research is to use a variety of empirical materials such as personal experience, interviews, and questionnaires. It is imperative to understand the task at hand and how to fully carry out the study when using a qualitative research approach in order to find out the information needed. One view of qualitative research is it involves examining individual’s experiences and documenting those experiences in detail (Jones, 2011). By documenting these observations the researcher is ensuring validity in his or her data and giving the correct creditability to those who participated in the study.
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).
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
This essay is going to critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys and questionnaires as a method of Socio-Legal research. When conducting socio-legal research, a number of methods can be used to collect useful information.
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
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.
First let’s define a paradigm. A paradigm is a set way of perceiving reality and acting accordingly.
There are various approaches, which can be valuable for researchers to utilize when deciding an effective research problem. The failure of a researcher to be precise in the description of the problem statement can have damaging outcomes in the understanding of the research. A theoretical framework refers to a set of interrelated ideas or themes, such as a concept, but not fundamentally worked out. Determining on what comprises a theoretical framework of the study begins with recognizing and creating a good researchable problem.
Every research study should describe the methods used for collecting, analysing and interpreting data. Research methodology is a systematic solving of the research problem and includes all the tools and methods used in the research process.
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
Qualitative and quantitative researcher’s exhibited conflicting ways of approaching a research. Some researchers prefer qualitative over quantitative and vice-versa. Also, it is common for qualitative and quantitative to be used together in a research. But, both methods when carried out correctly provide good research. Plus, both methods have their own unique differences and characteristics. In this paper I will define three of these characteristics in a quantitative and qualitative research design and discuss and compare their differences. (Smith & Davis, 2010)