Second Theory Statement: Hermeneutics
“Hermeneutics is a disciplined approach to interpretation that can be traced back to the ancient Greeks studying literature and to biblical exegesis in the Judeo-Christian tradition.” (Crotty, 1998, p. 88-89). According to the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, “hermeneutics is the method of interpretation first of texts, and secondly of the whole social, historical, and psychological world.” ("Hermeneutics," n.d.). This paper will discuss the central idea of hermeneutics, hermeneutics as a perspective, and hermeneutics as an influence upon research activities as it might relate to instructional technology (IT).
The Theoretical Perspective of Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is invoked in many fields of inquiry relating to the act of reading. (Crotty, 1998, p.105). Hermeneutics as a practice is historically steeped in a religious foundation: the science of biblical interpretation. Further, Crotty (1998) explains, “hermeneutics is a form of inquiry into how texts can and should be applied… not just abstract theorising.” (p. 91). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (n.d.) states:
It is associated in particular with a tradition of German thought running from Friedrich
Schleiermacher and Wilhelm Dilthey in the 19th century to Martin Heidegger and
Hans‐Georg Gadamer in the 20th. In this tradition, the question of interpretation is posed
in terms of the hermeneutic circle, and involves basic problems such as the possibility of
establishing a determinate meaning in a text, the role of the author's intention, the
historical relativity of meanings, and the status of the reader's contribution to a text's
meaning.
By definition, the hermeneutic p...
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...s of Social Research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hermeneutics. (n.d.). In The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms online. http://www.answers.com/topic/hermeneutics
Hermeneutics. (n.d.). In The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy online. Retrieved from
http://www.answers.com/topic/hermeneutics
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In our daily activities as humans, we consciously and unconsciously observe what people do around us, how they do it, and sometimes ask why they do what they do. In so doing we gain a better understanding of their ways of life. Anthropologist and sociologist too mention but a few, professions employ the daily observations we engage in as humans in a methodology called participant observation. Dewalt and Dewalt (2002:1) define participant observation as “a method in which a researcher takes part in the daily activities, events, rituals and interactions, of a group of people as one of the means of learning the explicit and tacit aspects of their life routine and culture.” Participant observation can be carried out in roles that reveal or hide the identity of the researcher (i.e. covert or overt roles) in four different capacities namely complete participant, participant as observer, observer as participant, complete observer Bryman (2004). These capacities all have their merits and demerits. However, for the purpose of this essay participant observation would be discussed holistically devoid of the various roles. This is due to limitation on words. This essay discusses the merits and weaknesses of participant observation, arguing that the weaknesses are inherent in the merits and as such the merits outweigh the weaknesses and concludes with ethical discussions on participant observation.
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Taking Two Of The Theoretical Approaches To Social Research Discussed In The Module, Demonstrate The Connections Between Their Ontological, Epistemological And Methodological Assumptions. Which Method Or Methods Would Proponents Of Each Theory Favour As A Result Of Their Assumptions.
The “hermeneutic activity –the practice of close reading” (373) is what Love evaluates next. The practice of close reading became the framework of hermeneutics in the early 20th century and has been the foundation of text evaluation since then, no matter what different literary approaches and cultural changes were present, since “the richness of texts continues to serve as a carrier for an allegedly superannuated humanism”(373). Her own assertion regarding the interpretation of texts can be interpreted in sev...
...s can be reliable with a predominant view of how knowledge is constructed that would fit within the worldview framework. The worldviews will contribute to the research design that most likely will be quantitative; however, there is great possibility that it will be mixed. The design of this research will be based on bringing together a worldview or assumptions about research, the specific strategies of inquiry, and research methods. This research will be testing a theory by specifying narrowing hypotheses and the collection of data to support or refute the hypotheses.
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Using the author’s field research I felt that many of them tried to enter their situation as an outsider looking in as most researchers do. Given time most of them were able to some what be accepted into their social surroundings. No matter what role or relationship the researchers developed along the way they still had to make choices to would affect their data in different ways. They just had to pick the correct approach and apply it. Finally all stories proclaimed different discussions of social science by using different forms of "objectivity" and "subjectivity."
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The social sciences have and will continue to be in the future will play an important role in studying and solving problems for both society and its individuals. The disciplines that it encompass vary widely but often need to come together to solve issues and study certain facets of humanity. For my personal use social science is a tool to better understand others, be more sensitive to issues that people may face and to anticipate the way people and society may act in certain situations. A social science lens can be productive in that it helps people be more indiscriminate though understanding people and their behavior. I hope to use the socials sciences to impact other people’s lives in a positive manner. The social sciences to me when used in a well-intended manner are able to not only explain phenomena but also be a solution and or make a situation better. The intent of this essay is to better understand and define the social sciences, touch on the many disciplines of the science in addition to its relationships with other scientific areas.