Define ontology:
Whether reality does or does not exist separately from human practice
What counts as legitimate knowledge and which knowledge to trust
Demonstrates knowledge using unbiased and objective data collection
Reality depends on human interpretation
A realist ontological perspective assumes:
Reality independent from human knowledge as observations reflect reality, 1 true reality is out there to be discovered
Reality depends on human interpretation, with multiple, constructed realities which differ across time
Knowledge is socially influenced, whereby observations reflect a separate reality which can only be partially accessed
Questions objective knowledge, whereby observations reflect a constructed reality via, for example, discourse and systems
Who would typically take a realist ontological perspective?
Quantitative researchers
Qualitative researchers
Either quantitative or qualitative researchers
Neither
Who would typically take a relativist ontological perspective?
Qualitative researcher
Quantitate researcher
Either quantitative or qualitative researcher
Identify assumptions of the relativist ontological perspective:
Taking a relativist ontological perspective involves critiquing what features of research: (2)
Reliability: for ignoring individual differences and contextual differences
Objectivity: for ignoring the fact that the researcher inevitable influences research
Subjectivity: for allowing their subjective values and assumptions influence research
Positivism: demonstrating knowledge via unbiased and objective data collection
Which ontological perspective sits between realism and relativism?
Critical realism
Positivism
Constructionism
Contextualism
A critical realist ontological perspective assumes:
There is no 1 reality, with knowledge emerging from context
Define epistemology:
Demonstrating knowledge via unbiased and objective data collection
Acknowledges the researcher being influenced by the context
Identify features of the positivist epistemological approach: (3)
Demonstrates knowledge using unbiased and objective data collection methods
Is aligned with empiricism, meaning it separates the observer and observed
Uses the scientific method to gain valid knowledge
Questions objective knowledge
Reality is constructed via discourse systems which is ideological
There is no singular truth
A constructionist epistemological approach assumes:
Questions objective knowledge, whereby reality is constructed via discourse and systems thus having an ideological function, with no singular truth
Reality is independent from human knowledge as observations are assumed to reflect reality, with one singular truth 'out there' to be discovered
Reality depends on human interpretation with multiple, constructed realities which differ across time and context
Knowledge emerges from context and is therefore local, situated and provisional, but retains in interest in understanding the trust, but in context, with no singular truth
Which epistemological approach sites between positivism and constructionism?
Relativism
Realism
Identify features of the contextualist epistemological approach: (4)
Sits between positivism and constructionism
No singular reality
Knowledge emerges from context and is thus local, situated and provisional
Retains an interest in understanding the trust, but in context
Aligned with empiricism, meaning it separates the observer and observed
Questions objective knowledge, assuming reality is constructed via discourse and systems
Ontological and epistemological perspective help aid methodology decision-making
Define methodology:
Refers to frameworks within which research is conducted to aid decision-making, such as what participants to use
To explore/understanding meaning and ways people make meaning
Process of critically reflecting on the knowledge produced and our role in producing it
Data production refers to:
The creation of new data via data collection methods such as interviews or surveys
The use of existing data via data collection methods such as newspaper clippings or the internet
To explore/understand meaning and ways in which people make meanings
Refers to the framework within which research is conducted to aid decision-making, such as what data collection method to use
Data that only touches the surface level could be referred to as:
Shallow/thin
Rich
Positivist
Critical realist
Data that provides a thorough and thoughtful commentary on a topic could be referred to as:
Shallow
Thin
Methodology
Identify features of qualitative research: (5)
Not to prove theory
Not to determine a relationship between factors
No hypothesis
To explore and understand meaning and ways in which people make meaning
To test the hypothesis
To prove theory
Open-ended
A positivist-empiricist paradigm:
Avoids bias to produce objective knowledge
Values subjectivity, seeing research as a subjective process which can be used as a research tool
How the research tools and process may have influenced research
A qualitative paradigm:
Our subjectivity can be used as a research tool, requiring reflexivity
Define reflexivity:
To explore/understand meaning and ways in which people make meaning
Identify the 2 forms of reflexivity: (2)
Functional
Personal
Functional reflexivity refers to:
How research tools and the research process may have influenced the research
How the researcher themselves may have impacted the research
How research is a subjective process
Refers to the framework within which research is conducted to aid decision-making
Personal reflexivity refers to:
Considering how our embodiment/presence and how our assumptions can shape the knowledge produced is an example of:
Personal reflexivity
Functional reflexivity
Positive-empiricist paradigm
Which of the following are examples of qualitative methods of data collection: (7)
Story completion tasks
Surveys
Interviews
Focus groups
Diaries
Internet
Printed visual media
Thematic analysis
Grounded theory
Interpretive Phenomenological analysis
Which of the following are examples of qualitative data analysis: (4)
Thematic
Interpretive phenomenological
Discourse
Identify features of quantitative analysis: (7)
Numbers
Artificial
Causal relationships
Scientific
Generalisable
Objective
Subjective
Natural
Inductive methods
Identify features of qualitative analysis: (6)
Words
Rich/insightful
Values subjectivity
Inductive methods: bottom-up
Credible research = validates research
Empirical testing
Isolates variables
