
Two Main Paradigms of Research: Positivist and Interpretive
- Action Research. Action research is practitioner based research, with the main focus being the transformation of...
- Observations. In regard to education, observational research allows the researcher to gather data in person, watch...
- Questionnaires. Questionnaires offer researchers the opportunity to gather...
What are the different research paradigms?
For each research paradigm there is an ontological view that the researcher seeks through research. Monism, pluralism, idealism, dualism, materialism are some of the ontological views that one can follow.
What are methodologies in a paradigm?
In one paradigm there can be several methodologies and the researcher can follow anyone of that. These methodologies are approaches to research that can help the researcher conduct a systematic research. For example, if ontology asks does God exist?
What are the ontological and research paradigms?
Ontology and research paradigms. The ontology is the reality of knowledge that exist and that the research wants to seek. For each research paradigm there is an ontological view that the researcher seeks through research. Monism, pluralism, idealism, dualism, materialism are some of the ontological views that one can follow.
What is epistemology and research paradigm?
Epistemology and research paradigms Epistemology is the philosophical view to seek the reality. It paves the way to find the truth that is ontology. Epistemology and ontology are weaved together and none is possible without each other.

What are the 2 paradigms?
Common programming paradigms include:imperative in which the programmer instructs the machine how to change its state, procedural which groups instructions into procedures, ... declarative in which the programmer merely declares properties of the desired result, but not how to compute it.
What are the major research paradigms?
Research Paradigms Described Four major paradigms seem to compete in qualitative inquiry: positiv- ism, postpositivism, critical theory, and constructivism .
What are the types of paradigm?
It is said that in order to understand the reality there are three main types of paradigms to be employed, namely positivism, interpretivism, and realism. The conception of positivism is directly related to the idea of objectivism.
What is research paradigm and its types?
A research paradigm is a philosophical framework that your research is based on. It offers a pattern of beliefs and understandings from which the theories and practices of your research project operate. A research paradigm consists of ontology, epistemology, and research methodology.
What are the major paradigms of qualitative research?
The three major paradigms include, positivism, interpretivism, and post-positivism. “A paradigm is a shared world view that represents the beliefs, and values in a discipline and that guides how problems are solved, (Schwandt, 2001).”
What is a research paradigm example?
In pure sciences for example, the scientist will use a real reality as an ontological view and to know that real reality the scientist will use objectivity as an epistemological stance, quantitative methods as the methodology and hence the scientist is using positivism as the paradigm to find answers to the research ...
What are the 3 research paradigms?
It explores the philosophical underpinnings of three major paradigms: positivism, interpretivism, and critical theory.
What are the five research paradigms?
1.5 Research Paradigms in Social ScienceParadigmEmphasisPositivismObjectivity, knowability, Deductive logicInterpretivismResearch on humansSocial constructionismTruth as varying, socially constructed, and ever-changingCritical paradigmPower, inequality, and social change1 more row
What are the four paradigms?
The four paradigms are:Behaviorism.Information Processing and Cognitive Psychology.Individual Constructivism.Social Constructivism and Situated Learning.
How many paradigms are there?
Let us go on a whirlwind tour of 4 different programming paradigms – Procedural, Object-Oriented, Functional and Logical.
What is also called research paradigm?
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PARADIGM? • A research paradigm is “the set of common beliefs and agreements shared between scientist. about how problems should be understood and addressed” (Kuhn, 1970)
What is research paradigm in quantitative research?
Answer: Research paradigm is defined as an established model accepted by a substantial number of people in a research community. Quantitative research is used in both natural and social sciences.
What are the 5 research paradigms?
1.5 Research Paradigms in Social ScienceParadigmEmphasisPositivismObjectivity, knowability, Deductive logicInterpretivismResearch on humansSocial constructionismTruth as varying, socially constructed, and ever-changingCritical paradigmPower, inequality, and social change1 more row
What are the four paradigms?
The four paradigms are:Behaviorism.Information Processing and Cognitive Psychology.Individual Constructivism.Social Constructivism and Situated Learning.
What is a research paradigm in research?
A paradigm is a set of assumptions and perceptual orientations shared by members of a research community. Paradigms determine how members of research communities view both the phenomena their particular community studies and the research methods that should be employed to study those phenomena.
How many paradigms are there?
Let us go on a whirlwind tour of 4 different programming paradigms – Procedural, Object-Oriented, Functional and Logical.
Summary
The primary purpose of this text is to provide an overview of the research process and a guide to the options available to any researcher wishing to engage in that process. It has been said that too much time spent engaging in the ‘higher’ philosophical debate surrounding research limits the amount of actual research that gets done.
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What is research paradigm?
In simple words, a research paradigm is a process of creating a blueprint of research. A research paradigm is of three types-. Ontology – Ontology is a belief about reality. Ontology believes that either a single reality exists or it does not exist.
What is pragmatics in research?
Pragmatics can combine both, positivism and interpretivism positions within the scope of single research according to the nature of the research question. It is a problem-oriented philosophy that takes the view that the best research methods are those that help to most effectively answer the research question.
What is the study of knowledge called?
Epistemology – Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Epistemology is concerned with all aspects of the validity, scope and methods of acquiring knowledge, such as a) what constitutes a knowledge claim; b) how can knowledge be acquired or produced, and c) how the extent of its transferability can be assessed.
What is an ontology?
Ontology – Ontology is a belief about reality. Ontology believes that either a single reality exists or it does not exist. To be more specific, ontology answers one question- “ What is a reality ”. For example, consider the question “Does God exist”. Now, there can be two realities (or ontologies) to this question.
What is research philosophy?
Research philosophy is defined as the development of research assumption, its knowledge, and nature. Research philosophy presents the nature of the research, the type of data associated with its, the understanding of the sources of the data and theoretical approaches to analyze it. “Ontology and epistemology are two ways ...
What is the question addressed in methodology?
The question addressed in methodology is “ How to go about in finding the reality/ answer ”. In general, research methodology is used to create a process of how to collect and analyze the data for research. Research Philosophy together with research methodology create a research paradigm.
What is the role of a researcher in positivism?
In positivism, the role of the researcher is limited to data collection and interpretation. It depends on quantifiable observations that lead to statistical analyses. In positivism-based researches, a hypothesis is proposed which is proved using statistical analysis of data.
What are the three paradigms of research?
Paradigm include the methodology, approach, ontology, and epistemology to conduct the research. In one paradigm there can be several methodologies and the researcher can follow anyone of that. These methodologies are approaches to research that can help the researcher conduct a systematic research.
Who defined the research paradigm?
The term paradigm was first used by Kuhn in his work The Structure of Scientific Revolution he defined research paradigm as “an integrated cluster of substantive concepts, variables and problems attached with corresponding methodological approaches and tools”.
What is the epistemology of reality?
Epistemology is the philosophical view to seek the reality. It paves the way to find the truth that is ontology. Epistemology and ontology are weaved together and none is possible without each other. Realism, rationalism, relativism, and irrationalism are some of the epistemology that are out there. Epistemology and ontology are like nail and hammer none can work without each other. If you want to know the reality you should use an epistemology to get the answer. In each research paradigm there are some epistemology the researcher can choose one that suits the research question.
What is the ontology of research?
The ontology is the reality of knowledge that exist and that the research wants to seek. For each research paradigm there is an ontological view that the researcher seeks through research. Monism, pluralism, idealism, dualism, materialism are some of the ontological views that one can follow. The ontology cannot be reached without knowing ...
Why is it important to provide step by step guide to the readers about how the research proceeded and how the researcher?
It is absolutely important for a researcher to provide step-by-step guide to the readers about how the research proceeded and how the researcher got the answers to the research question. As we know that every research should have some characteristics these research characteristics give the research meaning and value. Unless the researcher follows a well-defined path to conduct the research he could not justify his findings to the readers. Additionally other researchers cannot replicate the study nor they can learn from it. A paradigm provides the researcher a guide to follow throughout the research.
Which is more suitable for a positivist: qualitative or mixed-method approach?
For a positivist , quantitative research methodology is more suitable and for a interpretivist qualitative and mixed-method approaches are more common to be used. In interpretivism and pragmatism statistical inquiry or analysis is not always required.
Is a research paradigm a methodology?
Although ontology, epistemology, and methodology have a relationship with the research paradigm but as a student you should know the difference between all of them. You cannot call quantitative approach a paradigm, it is a methodology or approach to research. A research paradigm is a worldview about conducting research.
Why do we use research paradigms?
Every research uses one of the research paradigms to use as a guideline for developing research methodology and to take on the research venture in a manner that is most valid and appropriate. Though basically there are two paradigms but there are several other paradigms emerged from these two especially in the social science research.
What is interpretive paradigm?
Interpretative Paradigm. Most of the qualitative research in social sciences use interpretivism approach to research. Interpretivists believe that human behavior is multilayered and it cannot be determined by pre-defined probabilistic models. It depends on the situations and is determined by environmental factors other than the genes.
Why is positivism used in scientific research?
Quantitative research always follows positivist approach because positivists believe in the empirical hypothesis testing. In pure sciences, positivism is preferred because of its empirical nature to study facts.
Why is positivism preferred in science?
In pure sciences, positivism is preferred because of its empirical nature to study facts. In quantitative research, the research follows a probabilistic model that is determined by previous research. Positivists believe that the findings of one study can be generalized to another study of a similar kind regardless of it is conducted in ...
What is quantitative research methodology?
In pure sciences, quantitative research methodology is clearly the most favored approach to conducting the research. In social sciences, there has been debate for over half a decade about the best methodology to use and this resulted in the emergence of mixed-method paradigm or mixed-method methodology. The word paradigm originated ...
Where did the word "paradeigma" come from?
The word paradigm originated from the Greek word “paradeigma” which means pattern. This word was first used in the research by “Kuhn” in 1962 to describe a conceptual framework that is accepted by a community of researchers or scientists and that provides them with an in-depth guideline to conduct the research.
Is human behavior a scientific variable?
A human behavior is quite unlike a scientific variable which is easy to control. Human behaviors are affected by several factors and are mostly subjective in nature. Therefore interpretivistic believe in studying human behavior in the daily life rather than in the controlled environment.
What are the three paradigms of research?
The article starts with a brief description of the four components of a research paradigm: ontology, epistemology, methodology, and methods. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the three paradigms and what characterizes the four components in each of the three paradigms. The article concludes by stating that researchers can investigate different phenomena under any of the three paradigms and they should not eschew the possibility of subscribing to different paradigms because of any concerns that they have to be mutually exclusive. Instead, the decision of choosing a philosophical outlook to investigate a phenomenon should be guided by the necessities and requirements of a research study rather than the obdurate insistence of adhering to one particular philosophical outlook to the exclusion of others.
What is research paradigm?
A research paradigm consists of ontology, epistemology, and methodology and is considered to be a model and an approach to research that gives a means to understand reality and study it (Rehman & Alharthi, 2016; Schwandt, 2001). ...
What are the two major sections of the pragmatism paper?
Section one is on research paradigms and covers philosophical foundations of research and research paradigms or world views such as positiv ism, post-positivism, interpretivism, constructivism and pragmatism are included in this paper.
Why is research important?
Research provides the basis for understanding natural phenomenon and can be used as a tool to find solutions to human problems. A researcher's understanding of research paradigms and designs in education forms the basis for an effective research undertaking.
What was the Paradigm Wars?
Raging during the 1980s, the Paradigm Wars resulted in the demise of objectivity-seeking quantitative research on teaching—a victim of putatively devastating attacks from anti-naturalists, interpretivists, and critical theorists. Subsequently, the interpretivists' ethnographic studies flourished, enhancing the cultural appropriateness of schooling, and critical theorists' analyses fostered the struggles for power for the poor, non-Whites, and women. Two alternative versions of the aftermath are also conceivable. Pragmatism and Popper's piecemeal social engineering offer paths toward a productive rapprochement of the paradigms, one guided by the moral obligations of educational research.
How many components are there in each paradigm?
four components i n each of the three paradigms. The article concludes by stating that
Does methodology entail ontological assumptions?
methods does not entail ontological and epistemological assumptions.

Action Research
- Action research is practitioner based research, with the main focus being the transformation of practice. Practitioners look at their own practice and try to improve it, and develop their understanding of it. Action research is personal to the researcher, but they do require assistanc…
Observations
- In regard to education, observational research allows the researcher to gather data in person, watch participants and interpret what they see. It gives the researcher the change to see rather than just be told how participant act and react in the classroom environment. There are two main types of observations used in research which Kumar (2005: 120) details as: 1. Participant Obser…
Questionnaires
- Questionnaires offer researchers the opportunity to gather large amounts of data, due to the number of questions that can be asked. They can contain open and closed questions as well as just open or just closed questions. Questionnaires with closed questions collect quantitative data, which the researcher can measure during data analysis. This is because all participants have an…
Interviews
- Interviews are used in research to gather data directly from participants. Interviews allow for a wide range of data to be collected as the interviewer has the ability to follow up answers and delve deeper to get further details. “A skilful interviewer can follow up ideas, probe responses and investigate motives and feelings which questionnaires can never do.” (Bell, 2010: 161) Interview…
Pilot Testing
- Pilot testing provides a researcher with the opportunity to test their data collection methods. It gives them a change to test the set questions to make sure they are: understandable, relevant and not biased or leading. “After good questions have been developed using principles of question construction, a researcher pilot tests the questions. This helps determine that the indivi…
Methodology For This Research
- To fully determine professionals’ opinions of whether children with BESD should be taught in mainstream schools, it was essential to carry out a small-scale research. Having explored the literature available it was then necessary to explore teachers own opinions and feelings, especially those teaching children with various behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Tw…
Ethics Chapter
- This chapter focuses on the ethical issues considered before, during and after this research was carried out. When carrying out research, whether small or large scale, it is essential to remember the ethical implications that surround it. Johnson and Christensen (2010: 99) give a clear definition of ethics when they state, “Ethics are the principles’ and guidelines that help uphold the things w…
Permission
- Before any educational research takes place, it is paramount for the researcher to gain permission from all participants taking part in the research. By giving their permission, participants are indicating that they have understood the research being carried out and give their permission for their data to be used. The British Educational Research Association (2004: 6) details “The Asso…
Anonymity
- Researchers must do all they can to protect the anonymity of participants and keep any personal data private. Participants give information in good faith, and it would be unethical for a researcher to mention participants within research or leave data in places where others could access it. Foreman-Peck and Winch (2010: 119) detail the importance of anonymity when they state “Suc…
Definition of Research Paradigms
Ontology and Research Paradigms
- The ontology is the reality of knowledge that exist and that the research wants to seek. For each research paradigm there is an ontological view that the researcher seeks through research. Monism, pluralism, idealism, dualism, materialism are some of the ontological views that one can follow. The ontology cannot be reached without knowing the epist...
Epistemology and Research Paradigms
- Epistemology is the philosophical view to seek the reality. It paves the way to find the truth that is ontology. Epistemology and ontology are weaved together and none is possible without each other. Realism, rationalism, relativism, and irrationalism are some of the epistemology that are out there. Epistemology and ontology are like nail and hammer none can work without each other. I…
Methodology and Research Paradigms
- The methodology can be quantitative or qualitative and within each of these methodology there are several research techniques. In pure sciences quantitative research methodology is commonly used. In social sciences qualitative research methodology is more common in use. As a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies there is mixed-metho…
References
- Makombe, G. (2017). “An expose of the relationship between paradigm, method and design in research.” The Qualitative Report, 22(12), 3363-3382. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol22/iss...
- Shah, S. R. and Abdullah A. (2013). “Research Paradigms: Researchers’ Worldviews, Theoretical Frameworks and Study Designs.” Arab World English Journal, 4(4), 252-264. http…
- Makombe, G. (2017). “An expose of the relationship between paradigm, method and design in research.” The Qualitative Report, 22(12), 3363-3382. Retrieved from http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol22/iss...
- Shah, S. R. and Abdullah A. (2013). “Research Paradigms: Researchers’ Worldviews, Theoretical Frameworks and Study Designs.” Arab World English Journal, 4(4), 252-264. https://pdfs.semanticscholar....
Definition
Types of Research Paradigm
- Most of the scientific or quantitative research use positivism as a conceptual framework for research. Quantitative research always follows positivist approach because positivists believe in the em...
- Most of the qualitative research in social sciences use interpretivism approach to research. Interpretivists believe that human behavior is multilayered and it cannot be determined by pr…
- Most of the scientific or quantitative research use positivism as a conceptual framework for research. Quantitative research always follows positivist approach because positivists believe in the em...
- Most of the qualitative research in social sciences use interpretivism approach to research. Interpretivists believe that human behavior is multilayered and it cannot be determined by pre-defined p...
Distinction Between Positivism and Interpretivism
- To summarize positivism and interpretivism we can say that positivism is governed by objectivity, measurability, predictability, probability, controllability and control laws that can predict human...
- Though, both of these paradigms are opposite of each other they represent the reality in two different manners, both of them have their own value and significance in the growth and deve…
- To summarize positivism and interpretivism we can say that positivism is governed by objectivity, measurability, predictability, probability, controllability and control laws that can predict human...
- Though, both of these paradigms are opposite of each other they represent the reality in two different manners, both of them have their own value and significance in the growth and development of k...
References
- Cohen, Louis, et al. Research Methods in Education,5th Edition. London, 2000
- Dr. Nirod K. Dash, Module: Selection of the Research Paradigm and Methodology, Manchester metropolitan University, June 2005
- Stephen K. Antwi, Kasim H. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Business Research: A Philosophical Reflection, European Journal of Business and Management, ISS…
- Cohen, Louis, et al. Research Methods in Education,5th Edition. London, 2000
- Dr. Nirod K. Dash, Module: Selection of the Research Paradigm and Methodology, Manchester metropolitan University, June 2005
- Stephen K. Antwi, Kasim H. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Business Research: A Philosophical Reflection, European Journal of Business and Management, ISSN 2222-1905 (Paper) ISSN...