The Nature of Scientific Research (year 2) Flashcards
what are Paradigms?
- Series of assumptions about the nature of reality, knowledge and truth
- Influence how scientists view the world and conduct research
what is methodology?
- Quantitative
- Experimental, causal-comparative, correlational…
- Qualitative
- Ethnographies, content analyses…
Method = the tools you use i.e. surveys, type of design
what are the 5 assumptions?
- The nature of reality (ontology)
- The relationship of the knower to the known (episteme)
- The possibility of generalisation
- The possibility of causal linkages
- The role of values (objective vs. subjective).
what is the Positivistic Paradigm?
- Traditional view of Science
- Physical sciences(‘Harder Sciences’)
- Dominant paradigm in Sports and Exercise Science.
Positivistic Paradigm: Assumption 1: The Nature of Reality
- Reality is single, tangible, and fragmentable
- “Reality can be studied by reducing it to smaller parts (reductionism)
- Reality is reduced to a number
- i.e. Weight training & bicep muscle mass.
Positivistic Paradigm: Assumption 2: Relationship of knower to the known
- Knower and known are independent
- The researcher and the subject are independent
- The researcher does not influence or bias the subject.
Positivistic Paradigm: Assumption 3: The Possibility of Generalisation?
- Researchers use methods that provide factual, reliable data.
- Generalisations are possible to a larger group (population)
- Time and context-free
- Study (n) =Population
Positivistic Paradigm: Assumption 4: The Possibility of Causal Linkages?
- Causal relationships can be studied
- Cause –>effect
- Weight training & muscle mass.
Positivistic Paradigm: Assumption 5: The Role of Values
- Scientific inquiry is value free(if it is of value to you, it is a confounder!)
- No direct worth or benefit to the researcher or the subject
- Objectivity.
what is Interpretivism?
- ‘Paradigm shift’
- Alternative paradigm
- Social science (psychology, sociology)
- People and behaviour
- ‘Interpretative’ or ‘constructive’
- Also a key part of Sport and Exercise Science.
Interpretivism: Assumption 1: The Nature of Reality
- Realities are multiple, constructed and holistic
- Each individual views the world in a different manner
- Different knowledge and understanding of the world
Interpretivism: Assumption 2: The Relationship of the knower to the known
- Knower and known are interactive and inseparable
- The researcher and the subject are interconnected
- The researcher cannot represent the knowledge of the subject unless they are ‘there’.
Interpretivism: Assumption 3: The Possibility of Generalisation?
- Generalisations cannot be made
- Time and context bound
- Working, flexible hypotheses (often more inductive)
Interpretivism: Assumption 3: The Possibility of Generalisation?
- Generalisations cannot be made
- Time and context bound
- Working, flexible hypotheses (often more inductive)
Interpretivism: Assumption 4: The Possibility of Causal Linkages
- Causal relationships cannot be determined
- All entities are interrelated and dynamic
- Impossible to distinguish causes from effects.
