Paradigms Flashcards
What is epistemology?
The philosophical study of knowledge that examines what knowledge is, how we gain our knowledge and how we determine how valid it is
What is empiricism?
States that knowledge is derived from sense, experience and observation
What is rationalism?
States that knowledge is derived from reason and logic
What is a theory?
•“ A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena”
Kerlinger 1986
What are research theories?
Simply a theory is conjecture representing our current state of knowledge about the world
•Theories commonly link concepts together
They are valuable for helping to understand, describe, explain, and predict people, health and professional practice
•A theory can be used to deduce a prediction that can be tested or supported by testing (hypothesis)
•‘Commonsense’ and scientific theories can, and do, exist alongside each other in professional practice
•’It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts’
What are some healthcare theories?
Theories of interpersonal relationships
Critical social theory
Theories of health behaviour
Education and learning theory
Complexity theory
Feminist theory
What are health research approaches?
Different approaches to health research that share several universal characteristics
What are some examples of health research approaches ?
They gather external evidence
The use of both empirical and rationalist approaches
Are limited by the involvement of human subjects
Bounded by ethical constraints
Can gather qualitative, quantitative or mixed data
What is the definition of quantitative data?
Is based on data quantity (typically numeric)
What does qualitative mean?
Is based on quality → is a measure of how good something is. This is usually gathered by asking for opinion. (is not numeric and doesn’t have any units of measure)
What is positivism ( quantitative)?
Assumes that reality exists ‘out there’ beyond human mind. Everything is bound by physical ‘laws’ and is subject to empirical regularities. Also states that knowledge is gained through generalisation, prediction and control of phenomena
This ideology was found by Auguste Comte in 19th century
What are positivism’s design features?
Fair
Simple
Repeatable
Researcher led
Linearity
Controlled
What is meant by “fair” in positivism?
Positivisms aims to maximise objectivity by reducing bias
How can bias arise?
From the researcher’s own ideas, desires and expectations
What can be the results of a bias from several stages ?
How the research is designed
How the data is gathered
How the data is analysed
How the findings are presented
How is positivism designed?
As simple → to reduce measurement outliers and provide information on general trends
Data is normally numerical and can be manipulated statistically
How is positivism repeatable?
Studies are fixed research protocols →proven or highly structured instruments are used for data collection to maximise precision, validity, and replicability
Studies are designed to allow repetition of the research and aim to provide enough instruction to allow others to obtain the same results
Why is positivism researcher led?
Because relevant concepts are identified by the researcher and measured in subjects
What are the linear processes and methods of positivism?
Theory
Hypothesis
Data - collection
Data analysis
Interpretation of findings
Accept (or reject ) hypothesis
Confirm (or adjust ) theory
→ all in chronological order
How is positivism controlled?
There are tight research controls to reduce the impact of and confounding variables
Positivist research → aims to limit the number of variable to clarify the impact of the measured intervention
What is a variable?
Anything that can impact on the findings
What are common positivistic designs?
•Systematic review and meta-analysis
•Randomised Controlled Trials
•Trial designs
•Quasi-experiments
•Field experiments
•Cohort studies
•Single subject experiments
•Surveys and questionnaires
What are the limitations of positivism?
Health research concerns humans with different perspectives
Inherent biases of the researcher
Human consciousness of those being studied
Moral and ethical questions
Post - positivism accepts → objectivity is desirable but never totally possible and that there is an element of chance in evidence
What is constructivism ( qualitative)?
Assumes that reality can only be experienced through the constructive processes of the human mind and never accessed directly
How does constructivism differ from positivism?
It acknowledges multiple individual realities (perspectives) including those of both researchers and the researched
What are key features of constructivist research designs?
Uncontrolled
Dynamic
Human
How is constructivism uncontrolled?
Constructivism thrives on subjectivity
Accepts that personal values and biases can never be fully contrived
This personal perspective is valuable and an essential aspect af data collection
Findings are relevant to context
How is constructivism dynamic?
Constructivist research processes are flexible and iterative → meaning processes can change during the study and will influence each other:
Research questions
Design
Data collection
Data analysis and interpretation
Dissemination
