Module 5, Philosophical Worldviews and Methodological Coherence Flashcards
Philosophical Worldview
philosophical worldviews are guiding frameworks of research projects
- set of beliefs related to one’s general orientation to the world and the nature of research
- dictates what a researcher believes is knowledge
- made up of ontology and epistemology
Ontology
- general orientation to the world
- belief in the nature of truth and reality (are there multiple truths that are constructed or just common truth)
- subjective experience can
provide multiple truths (do
this through survey) - ontology is about is there one truth or multiple (based around truth)
Epistemology
- nature of the researcher’s belief about how we acquire knowledge about truth and reality
- epistemology is related to the influence researchers has on the process (could or should be)
- should the researcher be as
objective as possible (no
influence) - use measure
tools, do not who is control
or random group - accept that there is going to
be subjectivity (research is
going to influence the
research process)
- should the researcher be as
- *epistemology is about how the researcher influences the research process (not about subjective experience of the participant)
Common Philosophical Worldviews in KIN Research
- post-positivism
- constructivism
- pragmatism
- transformative
- two-eyed seeing
Post-Positivism (ontology and epistemology)
ontology: critical realist
- there is a single reality or objective truth to be discovered through research
- try to come as close as possible to this objective truth through research but recognize researchers may never discover it (might not get there ever but try your best)
epistemology: modified objectivist
- researchers try to be as objective as possible but acknowledge that researchers still may have some influence over the research process
◦ trying to remove themselves
from the process as much as
possible
◦ remove the human element
as you set up your study but
in bringing things together
there may be influence (how
or why you choose the topic)
Post-Positivism (sources of data and other assumptions)
- relies on the scientific method (going and testing hypothesis)
- sources of data: quantitative
other assumptions of post-positivism:
1. determinism: causes determine effects (cause and effect) (that x causes y - if you increase physical activity you reduce your risk of cancer)
2. reductionism: ideas can be reduced to small testable research questions (more interested in context and detail)
Constructivism (ontology and epistemology & source of data)
ontology: relativist
- multiple realities exist
- meanings of reality are subjective and socially constructed (influenced by different social cultural forces)
- individuals engage with their world and make sense of it based on their own personal, social, cultural, and historical perspectives (make sense of the world through their experiences and the social structures around them)
- when researchers approach participants they are interested in their reality
epistemology: subjectivist
- researchers recognize that their own realities and views shape the research process (shape how your interpret the data)
- researchers can not be removed from the construction and interpretation of findings
sources of data: qualitative
my notes:
* can still try to be neutral, recognize that their own realities and ways shape their researcher process (for example: the topic they choose could be of interest to them because of previous experience, things you follow up on and let go are based on what you find important and relevant)
* researchers bring their luggage, which impacts the research process
* transparency is key in subjectivist approach
* in a constructivism study, you see a lot more of the researcher (next person can come along and explain how they see it differently or the same)
Pragmatism (sources of data and definition)
- researchers are concerned with solutions to problems (do not care about underpinning assumptions, look at the data to see what is going to address the research question)
- incorporate all research approaches that are required to best address their research question
- sources of data: mixed methods (quantitative & qualitative) - constructivism and post-positivism
- call it a copout, did not want to deal with underpinning assumptions (issue) and underlying tensions between your epistemology and oncology
Transformative (sources of data and definition)
- research needs to have an agenda to advocate for marginalized peoples
- focus on reform and change through research (…not just as a result of their research)
- researchers and participants work together to create meaningful change for the participants
◦ you are working with people,
not just studying people but
working with them through
the research process (asking
people what they need,
instead of imposing
something to help them
without asking their input)
◦ research with people not on
people - sources of data: typically qualitative (quantitative may also be incorporated)
- this is the concept of research as advocacy (not as a byproduct), through the research process you are trying to advocate for some form of social change (equitable - for example, gender, race, disability etc.)
- way to help build trust and do better more meaningful work
- work with individuals who have a disability and stakeholders to improve inclusivity in sports contexts
Methodological Coherence
connecting worldviews, topics and research approaches in kinesiology research
Role of Theory in Research
a theory is a ‘conceptual map’ which outlines the interrelationships between a
set of variables within a specific domain which, when taken collectively, purports to explain a given phenomena
Theory in Quantitative Approaches
- theory becomes a framework for the entire study
- theory is typically placed towards the beginning of the study in the literature review
- directs researchers towards which variables are important to measure
- variables are very specific concepts we are measuring
- theories make predictions about relationships between variables
◦ guide your hypotheses
◦ identify which variables are
important to measure
Use of theory varies in qualitative research (4)
- used as a broad explanation for behaviour and attitudes, and may include variables, constructs, and hypotheses
- theoretical lens or perspective: overall orienting lens for the study of questions of gender, class, and race
A. e.g., feminist perspectives,
racialized discourses, critical
theory, queer theory,
disability inquiry etc. - theory becomes the end point (grounded theory - specific type of qualitative theory)
- no explicit theory
Deductive Approach
- a phenomenon is observed
- a theory is developed to explain why it occurred
- the theory is tested through research and the theory is either supported, unsupported, or revised
* top down approach (if the evidence (data) supports that theory of it does not) - directly related to hypotheses testing -> theory to data
* deductive is seen more in quantitative research but not exclusive to it
Inductive Approaches
- a phenomenon is observed
- data is collected on the possible reasons why it occurs and trends in the data are examined
- a theory is developed from this data to explain the phenomenon
* inductive approach is what we call a bottom up approach (develop a theory) -> collect data and create a theory
* inductive is seen more in qualitative research (more exploratory, see how the themes come together)
