Four Worldviews Impact on Research Process

Research Methods PSYCG 1514

Assignment 1

1. Name and briefly describe (2-3 sentences each) the four worldviews discussed in Chapter 1 of the Creswell text. Describe which one (or combination) most closely aligns with your own worldview and why. How does one’s cultural worldview impact the research process?

The postpositivist worldview reflects more of a quantitative approach than a qualitative approach to research and challenges the traditional idea of absolute knowledge by recognizing that what is observed is human behavior. Postpositivists philosophies are deterministic (cause determines effect), reductionistic (reduces ideas into a small, discrete set to test), carefully observed and measurable, and need testing to be verified.

The constructivists worldview is typically an approach to qualitative research. Constructivists philosophies include understanding (seek understanding or meaning of subjective events

The researcher should be cognizant of the setting and minimize intrusion on the participants by impacting the research site as little as possible.

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence. If the researcher does not respect the site, environment and culture, then the researcher would run the risk of negatively affecting humans and nonhumans in that area.

Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility. Part of fidelity and responsibility is establishing a trustful relationship with those whom the psychologist is working with or studying. If the psychologist disrupts the site and disrupts the lives of others, that psychologist risks breaking rapport and ruining that therapeutic or scientific relationship.

Principle C: Integrity. The psychologist should not employ deceptive practices to access protected sites. For example, if the research wanted to observe sacred ritualistic burial practices and was denied permission from a governing entity, the psychologist should not trespass just to gather