Ontology - Epistemology

Question 1

What is the view on reality in the POSITIVIST paradigm?

Answer 1

Reality exists independent of observer (objectivism/naïve realism)

Question 2

What is the view on reality in the POST-POSITIVIST paradigm?

Answer 2

Reality exists independent of observer but can only be imperfectly understood (objectivism/critical realism)

Question 3

What is the view on reality in the CRITICAL THEORY paradigm?

Answer 3

Reality exists but is shaped by historical forces and circumstances (= social, political, cultural, economic, gender etcetera). (Subjectivism / historical realism)

Question 4

What is the view on reality in the CONSTRUCTIVIST paradigm?

Answer 4

Independent reality does not exist. There are multiple realities and multiple truths, but often there is a consensus in a specific time/place regarding what knowledge that counts as true/real

Question 5

What is the difference in how knowledge is generated between POSITIVISM and POST-POSITIVISM?

Answer 5

In positivism, findings (knowledge) come from verified hypotheses established as facts or laws, meaning that they are true. In post-positivism, findings (knowledge) come from non-falsified hypotheses, meaning that they are probably true. In both, cases, findings add to the edifice of knowledge (progression of better understanding

Question 6

What is the difference in how knowledge is generated between CRITICAL THEORY and CONSTRUCTIVISM?

Answer 6

In the critical theory, the production of knowledge is informed by values/normative ideas (such as democracy, justice, equity, …) and findings are geared towards creating awareness/eroding ignorance. In constructivism, the production of knowledge is geared towards either the evocation of multiple truths/realities and/or the revelation of a time/place bound truth/reality

Question 7

What is the common grounding of findings/knowledge for POSITIVISM and POST-POSITIVISM?

Answer 7

In positivism and post-positivism, findings/knowledge products are founded on an external pole (independent ‘material’ reality).

Question 8

How are findings/knowledge grounded in CRITICAL THEORY?

Answer 8

As in positivism and post-positivism, in the critical theory findings/knowledge are founded on an external pole. However, this external pole is considered to be a ‘historical reality’ instead of a ‘material reality’.

Question 9

How are findings/knowledge grounded in CONSTRUCTIVISM?

Answer 9

Findings/knowledge have no grounding. Knowledge is always created.