WEEK 1
Creswell and Poth – chapter 2
Philosophical assumptions: deeply ingrained views about the the types of problems we need
to study, what research questions to ask, or how we go about gathering data.
Conceptualization of the research process
• Phase 1: researchers consider what they bring to the inquiry such as personal history,
perception and ethical and political issues
• Phase 2: philosophical assumptions taken by the researcher that provide direction for
the study such as their view of reality (ontology), nature of knowledge (epistemology),
values (axiology), and procedures used (methodology) which leads to theories or
interpretative frameworks
• Phase 3: research strategies
• Phase 4: methods of data collection and analysis
• Phase 5: the interpretation
Why are philosophical assumptions important?
- Direction of the research goals and outcomes: influences how information is sought to
answer research questions
- Scope of training and research experiences: they’re deeply rooted in training etc.
- Basis of evaluative criteria for research-related decisions
Four philosophical assumptions with implications for practice
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,Philosophical assumptions are often applied within interpretative frameworks, they may be
paradigms, or beliefs that the researcher brings to the process etc.
Postpositivism
Scientific approach to research, researchers will employ a social science theoretical lens.
Postpositivism bc they don’t believe in a strict cause and effect but rather recognize that all
cause and effect is probability that may or may not occur. They view conducting research as
a series of logically related steps, believe in multiple perspectives from participants rather than
a single reality, and espouse rigorous methods of qualitative data collection and analysis.
Moreover, they write their studies in the form of scientific reports.
• Ontology
– a single reality exists beyond ourselves, out there
– Researchers may not be able to understand it perfectly
• Epistemology
– reality can only be approximated
– it is constructed through research and statistics
– limit interaction with research subjects
– validity comes from peers not participants
• Axiology
– Control researcher bias
– No need to explicate them (because they are controlled)
• Methodology
– Rigorous scientific methods important
– deductive
Social constructivism
Individuals seeks understanding of the world in which they live and work. they develop
subjective meanings of their experiences, meaning directed towards certain objects or things.
These meanings are varied and multiple, leading the researcher to look for the complexity of
views rather than narrow meanings into a few categories or ideas. Social constructivism: it is
not about perceptions of individuals as such, it is about processes of construction of
perceptions through interaction between people. Researcher acknowledge that their
background shapes their understanding, thus position themselves. Researchers
understanding not only different, but also better than understanding of participants.
• Ontology
– Multiple realities are constructed through our lived experiences and interactions
with others
• Epistemology
– Important to understand how people construct reality, rather than ‘facts’
– Knowledge about reality co-constructed between researcher and subjects
• Axiology
– Individual values are honored and negotiated among individuals
• Methodology
– Inductive and emergent
– Aimed at reconstructing subjective meanings of subjects
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,Transformative frameworks
Researchers might use alternative frameworks bc the imposed structural laws and theories by
post positivists do not fit marginalized individuals or groups and the constructivists do not go
far enough in advocating action to help individuals. Knowledge is not neutral and it reflects the
power and social relationships within society.
Postmodernism
Might be considered as a family of theories that have something in common. Knowledge claims
must be set within the conditions of the world today and in the multiple perspective of class,
race, gender, and other group affiliations
Lecture:
Postmodernism very similar to strong social constructivism; no facts that just exist.
There is no absolute truth about this, knowledge is shaped by power structures, e.g. knowledge
on economy shaped by dominant neo-liberal ideology and discourse. There are multiple ways
to know something because we know things on basis of position in power structures, others
know things differently due to their different position. So research how these power structures
operate and how they shape our understanding. Deconstruct power structures, special
attention for the power of language, framing and discourse EXAMPLE. Neo-liberal discourse
about the economy, economy benefits from free-trade and austere governments ....
Domination of that idea very very strong... You almost can’t say government should invest,
that free-trade... Discussion on crime among Dutch Moroccan youth: higher scores in
criminality statistics... Discourse 1 says ..socio-economic problem, or cultural?
Stone: there is no such thing as an absolute problem.
Questioning method:
methods lead to particular/specific understanding, but not superior understanding. There is no
absolute truth and scientific method cannot provide that either.
THE USE OF THIS? Thinking in terms of absolute truths is dangerous. This perspective helps
to realize that so called truths are perspectives, and that other perspectives are possible. Helps
you to think independently (independent of the fad of the day)
DANGER? No truths anymore, fake news .... science equal to lay knowledge (vaccinations,
climate change)
• Ontology
– There are multiple realities
– Reality defined by our concepts and experiences; there is no (single) reality
beyond that
• Epistemology
– Knowledge is defined by concepts, ones position, and power structures
– Truth is relative to a certain frame of reference
– So there are multiple ways of knowing
• Axiology
– Respect for multiple value systems (indigenous values)
– Values need to be problematized and interrogated
• Methodological beliefs
– Questioning of methods
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, – Stress transparency by highlighting issues and concerns
Pragmatism
Focus is on the outcome of the research, the actions, situations and consequences of of
inquiry, rather than antecedent conditions. Will use multiple methods of data collection, employ
multiple sources of data collection, will focus on the practical implications of the research, use
whatever is most effective to answer the research question. This view puts effectiveness
central instead of fundamental viewpoints
Both objective and subjective information. Remember postpositivism and social
constructivism? Brute facts reality out their vs socially constructed world.
Pragmatist: in some situations, works better to study social construction, in some to study facts
of reality. Value in social constructionist idea that people have an understanding, and they act
on basis of that understanding not on basis of facts.
• Ontology
– ‘Reality? Whatever’
– No commitment to a particular view of reality
– Pick a view on reality that works
• Epistemology
– Knowledge developed through many research methods
– Use methods that work in that situation
• Axiology
– Discuss values if they seem to influence the results
– Discuss values if needed to realize a particular goal (e.g. to convince the reader
or to get published)
• Methodology
– Depends on research question, and resources available
– Combinations of (qualitative and quantitative) approaches
Feminist theories
Dominant subject matter of gender domination within a patriarchal society. The goals are to
establish collaborative and non exploitative relationships, to place the researcher within the
study so as to avoid objectification and to conduct research that is transformative.
Critical theory and critical race theory
Critical theory perspectives are concerned with empowering human beings to overcome the
constraints placed on them by race, class, and gender. Goal might be social theorizing,
referring to the desire to comprehend and in some cases transform the underlying orders of
social life. Critical race theory focuses theoretical attention on studying and transforming he
relationship between race, racism, and power. Three goals: present stories about
discrimination from the perspectives of P.O.C; argue for the eradication of racial subjugation
while simultaneously recognizing that race is a social construct.
• Ontology
– Reality based on power and identity struggles. Privilege or oppression based
on race, ethnicity, class, gender, …
• Epistemology
– Knowledge gained through study of social structures, oppression, power.
– Knowledge gained through research can help to change reality
• Axiology
– Diversity of values is emphasized
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