Research Philosophy哲学研究

1、Research PhilosophyA basic introduction to research philosophies, approaches , and strategiesOntology, epistemology, and methodology It is important to understand these strange words. They are at the centre of all research frameworks. They play a particularly important role in the social sciences, i

2、n which we are all involved. In terms of your own research, an understanding of each of these terms will help you to more meaningfully structure your ideas.Ontology Literally, the science, study, or philosophy of being. (The description science, needs to be considered in this context with great care

3、) Ontology relates to being what exists, what does it look, what units make it up, and how do these components relate to each other. Your ontological position would then be your answer to the question what is the nature of the subject you are investigating?Epistemology - 1 Literally, the science, st

4、udy, or philosophy of knowledge. (Again the use of the word science needs to be contextualised, as with ontology) Epistemology refers to the claims or assumptions made about the ways in which it is possible to gain knowledge of reality. So, if the ontologist asks the question what exists to be known

5、?, the epistemologist asks what are the conditions of acquiring knowledge of that which exists?Epistemology - 2 Epistemology concerns itself with such issues as the degree of certainty we might legitimately claim for the conclusions we are tempted to draw from our analyses. In essence, epistemology

6、is about the source, and sourcing, of knowledge. You epistemological position therefore, would be your answer to the question where is it best to look in order to acquire knowledge, and why?.Methodology Methodology relates to the choice of analytical strategy and research design which underpins subs

7、tantive research. Definitionally, methodology can be seen as the analysis of how research should or does proceed. Care must be taken not to confuse methodology with methods and/or research techniques; rather, your methodology should guide those aspects of your research.Ontology,epistemology,and meth

8、odology: a summary To summarise, we can now say that ontology relates to the nature of the social and political world, epistemology to what we can know about it, and methodology to how (not where, as in epistemology) we may go about acquiring that knowledge. See diagram on next slide. Ontology,epist

9、emology,and methodology: a flow diagramOntologyEpistemologyMethodologyWhat is there out there to know about?What can we (hope to) know about it?How can we go about acquiring that knowledgeRealist and idealist research ontological positionsRealism Posivitist, interpretivist, and realist research epis

10、temological positions Deductive and inductive approaches: a schematic of the deductive approachPredictive hypothesisSpecific observationsTHEORY (supplying initial theoretical assumptions)Deductive logic:If X, then Y (hypothesis).Then Y observationsThen X holds (or not)Deductive and inductive approac

11、hes: a schematic of the inductive approachInductive generalisationTheory as the statement of governing lawsEMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS (of a sample from which a law or rule is sought)Inductive logic:All observed X leads to Y (observation)Then X always leads to Y (generalisation)Then X causes Y (inductive

12、 inference)The development of research frameworkData collection methods: secondary, or primary and secondaryResearch strategy: survey, focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, observations, secondary-empiricalResearch approach: inductive, deductive, inductive-deductive, hypothesis, theorising, crit

13、ical analysisResearch philosophy: positivism, interpretivism, critical realism.Research philosophies and the form and function of the literature review The literature review is selection of literatures chosen by the researcher to provide a theoretical framework against which the research question ca

14、n be addressed, and primary and secondary data compared and measured The research philosophies, approaches, and positions of the selected authors can then be considered against the above frameworksSummary Does all this philosophy matter? Can I write a passable dissertation without it?. You must have a approach, which, in turn implies the philosophical aspects of research discussed as slide 9 shows You must be able to offer a which demands identifying, comparing, and critical appraising the wor