Research Paradigms

Question 1

What are paradigms ?

Answer 1

All-encompassing systems of interrelated practice and thinking that define for researchers the nature of their inquiry along three dimensions

Question 2

What are the three dimensions of research paradigms ?

Answer 2

Ontology : specifies the nature of reality that is to be studied and what can be known about it

Epistemology: specifies the nature of the relationship between the researcher and what can be known

Methodology: specifies how researchers may go about practically studying whatever they believe can be known

Question 3

What are the two research paradigms ?

Answer 3

Interpretive and Constructionist

Question 4

If the researcher believes that what is to be studied consists of people’s subjective experiences of the external world, than it is the _______ paradigm

Answer 4

Interpretive

Question 5

If the researcher believes that reality consists of a fluid and variable set of social constructions, than it is the _______ paradigm

Answer 5

Constructionist

Question 6

Briefly explain the interpretive paradigm

Answer 6

It involves taking people’s subjective experiences seriously as the essence of what is real for them (ontology). It makes sense of people’s experiences by interacting with them and listening carefully to their stories (Epistemology). It makes use of qualitative research techniques to collect and analyze information (methodology)

Question 7

Interpretive research relies on _______, and describes what it sees in _________, and presents findings in _________

Answer 7

First-hand acounts
Rich detail
Engaging language

Question 8

Name the two principles to interpretive research

Answer 8

1. It involves understanding in context
2. It posistions the researcher as the primary instrument by which information is collected and analyzed

Question 9

Briefly explain the constructionist paradigm

Answer 9

Seeks to analyze how signs and images have powers to create particular representations of people and objects. It treats people as though their thoughts, feelings and experiences were the product of systems of meaning.

Question 10

Social constructionist researchers focus on language …

Answer 10

1. The language used to tell stories
2. The actual stories that are told
3. The discursive strategies used to communicate certain messages

Question 11

Constructionism is about interpreting the social world as a _______, a ________ that ___________

Answer 11

Type of language
System of meanings and practises
Constructs reality

Question 12

Discuss two ways in which social research might be considered to be political

Answer 12

1. Idealism: the tendency of constructionist work to reduce everything to language, and therefore, to the world of ideas
2. Relativism: the idea that there are many truths, an idea that is promoted by the social constructionists’ assertion that all descriptions of reality are merely accounts and constructions