Research Paradigms

Question 1

Ontology

Answer 1

What is true/real. The ‘study of being’. Comprised of two aspects: Objectivism and Subjectivism.

Question 2

Objectivism

Answer 2

The idea that society works the way is does regardless of what people think.

Question 3

Subjectivism

Answer 3

The idea that peoples views and experiences shape how they see society.

Question 4

Epistemology

Answer 4

Refers to how we know.

Question 5

Paradigm

Answer 5

A lens that guides how researchers study and understand society.

Question 6

Research Paradigms

Answer 6

Positivism, Interpretivism, and Social Construction

Question 7

Positivism

Answer 7

Belief that knowledge about society should be based on scientific observation and experimentation.

Question 8

Interpretivism

Answer 8

Emphasizes understanding society through peoples experiences and interpretations, rather than just objective data.

Question 9

Social Constructionism

Answer 9

Things like gender, race, and social roles are created by society’s beliefs and practices, shaping how people see the world.

Question 10

Deductive Approach (top-down process)

Answer 10

Begins with a theory, then develops a hypotheses, and then tests it.

Question 11

Inductive Approach (bottom-up process)

Answer 11

Begins by gathering data, then looks for patterns/themes, and then develops a hypotheses.