Epistemology Flashcards
What are research approaches in social sciences?
Ontology, Epistemology, Methodology
What is Ontology?
the nature of reality, Ontology deals with the nature of existence and reality.
Perspectives of ontology
Nominalism, Realism
What is Nominalism?
Believing reality is shaped by human perception and is socially constructed, meaning there is no objective reality independent of our experiences.
What is Realism?
Holding that an objective reality exists independently of human perception, and universal truths can be discovered
What is Epistemology?
How Do We Know?- Epistemology explores how knowledge is acquired and justified.
Approaches of Epistemology.
Relativism, Empiricism, Rationalism, Critical Realism
what is relativism
- Relativism (associated with postmodernism and antipositivism): Knowledge is subjective, culture-bound, and influenced by human interpretation. There is no absolute truth, and understanding comes from interpreting experiences and meanings
What is Empiricism?
Knowledge is gained through sensory experience and observation, emphasizing evidence and testing
What is Rationalism?
Knowledge comes from reasoning and innate ideas, focusing on deduction and intuition
What is Critical Realism?
While objective reality exists, it is too complex to fully understand. This view combines empirical observation with acknowledgment of subjective factors.
What is methodology?
Methodology refers to the strategies and principles guiding research methods.
What are methodology approaches?
Positivism, Postpositivism, Interpretivism
What is positivism?
o Seeks objective, value-neutral knowledge.
o Focuses on quantitative methods like surveys and statistical analysis.
o Emphasizes hypothesis testing and verification.
What is postpositivism?
o Recognizes the complexity of reality and allows for multiple perspectives.
o Advocates for triangulation (using multiple methods to study the same phenomenon) and falsification of hypotheses.
o Employs both qualitative and quantitative methods
What is interpretivism?
o Focuses on understanding subjective experiences and meanings.
o Uses qualitative methods such as case studies, interviews, and ethnography.
o Emphasizes interpretation and context.
What is postmodernism?
Postmodernism, aligned with antipositivism, challenges the idea of a singular, objective reality. Instead, it asserts that reality is subjective, constructed through cultural, historical, and social contexts. This view embraces relativism, where reality varies depending on individual or societal perspectives.
Knowledge, according to postmodernism, is not universal or objective but contingent and shaped by power dynamics, language, and culture. It critiques the pursuit of absolute truths and emphasizes the importance of understanding multiple, conflicting perspectives.
Postmodernist research relies heavily on qualitative methods, focusing on hermeneutics (interpretation) and phenomenology (exploration of lived experiences). Case studies, narratives, and ethnography are preferred to highlight contextual nuances and uncover marginalized voices.
key thinkers of Post modernism?
Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Jean François Lyotard
what is rationalism?
Rationalism assumes that reality exists independently of human perception and can be understood through reason and innate ideas.
Knowledge is acquired through reasoning, intuition, and deduction rather than sensory experience. Rationalists argue that certain truths, such as mathematical principles, are self-evident and do not require empirical validation.
Rationalist research employs deductive reasoning, starting with general principles or axioms and deriving specific conclusions. Speculation and logical analysis are key tools.
Key thinkers of rationalism
Plato, Rene Descartes, * Baruch Spinoza
What is Empiricism?
Empiricism holds that reality is understood through sensory experience. It emphasizes the importance of observable phenomena and rejects innate ideas or purely abstract reasoning.
Knowledge is gained a posteriori (after experience) through observation and experimentation. Empiricism relies on evidence and systematic inquiry to establish truths. Empiricist research focuses on inductive reasoning, where specific observations lead to general conclusions. This approach underpins experimental designs, surveys, and other methods of data collection and analysis
Key thinkers of Empiricism.
John Locke, David Hume, Francis Bacon
What is Positivism?
Positivism asserts that an objective, external reality exists independently of human perception. Universal laws govern this reality, which can be discovered through systematic observation.
Knowledge is gained through induction, where empirical evidence leads to generalizable conclusions. Positivism emphasizes objectivity, value neutrality, and the separation of facts from values.
Research under positivism is nomothetic, focusing on measurable phenomena and testable hypotheses. Quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and experimental designs are central
Key thinkers of positivism
Auguste Comte, Rudolf Carnap, Herbert Spencer
What is postpositivism
Postpositivism acknowledges that while an objective reality exists, it is too complex to be fully understood. Researchers and their biases influence the process of inquiry, making perfect objectivity unattainable.
Knowledge is provisional and subject to revision. Postpositivism emphasizes empirical falsification, where hypotheses are tested and refuted rather than confirmed, echoing Karl Popper’s “conjectures and refutations.”
Postpositivism employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, often using triangulation to address the limitations of individual approaches. This perspective values a blend of empirical testing and interpretive insights.
Key thinkers of postpositivism
Karl Popper, John Dewey, Nicholas Rescher
What is Theory?
In its essence, a theory is a coherent narrative that seeks to describe, explain, and often predict phenomena in the world.
What are metaphors?
Metaphors are central to theory-building as they bridge the gap between the familiar and the unfamiliar. For example, metaphors like “red tape” in public administration evoke images of bureaucratic inefficiency, shaping both scholarly discourse and public perception. Metaphors not only enrich theoretical narratives but also help create new conceptual categories. Over time, these categories become integrated into everyday language and thought, expanding the scope of inquiry.
What are building blocks of theory?
Theory-building involves three key components:
1. Empirical Facts: Observable phenomena that serve as the foundation for hypotheses.
2. Logical Coherence: A consistent framework that connects and explains facts.
3. Metaphors and Narratives: Conceptual tools that enrich understanding and inspire new perspectives.
What are challenges in theory building?
Despite its strengths, theory faces several challenges:
1. Measurement Validity: In social sciences, constructs like “intelligence” or “bureaucracy” are often debated due to their subjective and value-laden nature.
2. Resistance to Change: Theories that challenge widely held beliefs, such as the theory of evolution, often face significant opposition.
3. Complexity and Uncertainty: Social phenomena are influenced by multiple, interdependent factors, making it difficult to isolate and test variables.
