philosophy of modern research

8/6/2019 Philosophy of Modern Research

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NEU FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PHILOSOPH-Y (IES) OF MODERN RESEARCH

PREPARED FOR: ME 501 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODS COURSE.

PREPARED BY: Osude Benedict

JUNE 1, 2011.


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Abstract.

There are three reasons why the exploration of philosophy may be significant with particular

reference to modern research methodology.

Firstly, it can helps the researcher to refine and specify the modern research methods tobe used in a study, that is, to clarify the overall research strategy to be used; which

includes the type of evidence gathered and its origin, the way in which such evidence is

interpreted, and how it helps to answer the research questions posed.

Secondly, knowledge of modern research philosophy will enable the researcher toevaluate different methodologies, methods and avoid inappropriate use and unnecessary

work by identifying the limitations of particular approaches at an early stage.

Thirdly, it may help the researcher to be creative and innovative in either selection oradaptation of methods that were previously outside his or her experience.

Therefore, this term paper seeks to provide a basis for the descriptive analysis of the philosophies

of modern research methodology and the quantitative-qualitative approaches that make up these

schools of thought.

It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each of these approaches. The

descriptive analysis that will be used in this paper will be used both as an introduction to the

philosophy of modern research and a sound basis from which to discuss the quantitative-

qualitative approach.

Introduction

An appropriate starting point would be to discuss the two approaches on which the philosophy of

modern research is based; qualitative and quantitative approach.

Early forms of research was originated in the natural sciences and was concerned with

investigating things which we could observe and measure in some way. Such observations and

measurements can be made objectively and repeated by other researchers. This process is known

as quantitative research.


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Much later, along came other researchers that were working in a branch of social sciences that

were interested in studying human behavior and social world inhabited by human beings. They

found increasing difficulty in trying to explain human behavior in simple measurable terms.

Measurements often tell us how many people behave in a certain way but they do not give an

adequate answer why? Therefore the research that attempts to elaborate on why things are the

way they are in our social environment and why people act the ways they do is qualitative

research.

For the duration of this term paper we will start by stating and describing the major philosophies

of modern research by providing a descriptive analysis of these philosophies then we will move

on to providing a sound basis from which to discuss the quantitative-qualitative approach in

relation to these modern research philosophies. We will then explore the reasons for studying

philosophical issues in general and then more specifically in relation to research methodology.

The philosophies of modern research are explored using the literature drawn from a variety of

disciplines and sources to identify the components and elements that make up the philosophy.

Methods

My search for informations on the topic for this term paper was done mostly with reference to

encyclopedia and published texts. Internet-based informations was also utilized to get a general

understanding of the subject but keeping in mind that the web is an open source and every piece

of information there isnt necessarily true, I weighed the information from the web against the

ones published in a text. Then, I made my own assessment after a thorough understanding of the

subject.

Results

A research philosophy is a belief in the way in which information about a phenomenon should be

gathered, analyzed and used. What is known to be true (Epistemology) as opposed to what isbelieved to be true (doxology) encompasses the various philosophies of research approach. The

purpose of science therefore has always been to transform things believed into things known and

there are two (2) major modern research philosophies of science; positivist (scientific) and post-

positivist (interpretive).


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Positivists confine themselves to the set of information gotten from experience and they exclude

the set of information gotten from speculations. The basic affirmations of positivism are;

That all knowledge regarding matters of fact is based on the positive data of experience,and

That beyond the realm of fact is that of pure logic and science.Positivists repudiate speculations regarding the nature of reality that radically goes beyond any

possible evidence that could either support of refute such transcendent knowledge claims.

Post-positivists contend that only through the subjective interpretation and intervention can a

phenomenon be fully understood. The study of a phenomenon in its natural environment is the

key to the post-positivist philosophy, together with the acknowledgement that scientists cannot

avoid affecting those phenomena they study. They believe that human knowledge is based not on

unchallengeable, rock-solid foundations, but rather upon human conjectures. Since human

knowledge is unavoidably conjectural, the assertion of these conjectures is allowed, or more

specifically, justified by a set of authorizations which can be modified or withdrawn in the light

of further investigation. Post-positivism is an amendment to positivism that recognizes critiques

against the idea that observational evidence is indispensable for knowledge. It is not a rejection

of the scientific method, but rather its reformation to meet these critiques. It preserves the basic

assumptions of positivism, the possibility and desirability of objective truth and the use

of experimental methodology.

Discussion

The positivist philosophy of modern research embraces a conception of truth in which verifiable

statements concur with the ascertainable facts of reality. That is truth is not dependent on belief

alone but on belief that can be verified through examination and observation of external reality.

Speculations and assumptions are totally discarded.

The post-positivist philosophy assume that reality is multiple, subjective and mentally

constructed by individuals. Flexible and multiple methods are used to study small samples of a

phenomenon over time which can establish warranted asserts as opposed to the absolute truth. In

other words the researcher interacts with those being researched, and findings are the outcome of


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this interactive process with a focus on meaning and understanding the phenomenon under

examination.

In relation to research methodology positivism seems to adopt a clear quantitative approach to

investigating phenomena as opposed to post-positivism approaches, which aim to describe and

explore phenomena from a qualitative perspective. Even though quantitative and qualitative

approaches have a division in opinion they are mostly seen to be used in conjunction with each

other.

References

Hancock, B. (2002). An Introduction to Research Approach: Qualitative and Quantitative

Research. Nottingham: Trend Focus Group.

Frank Crossan MN, BA, DipN, RGN, 'Research Philosophy: Towards an understanding.Nurse

Researcher, February, vol. 11, number 1.

Wikipedia: Positivism, viewed 31 May 2011, .

Wikipedia: Post-positivism, viewed 31 May 2011, .

Microsoft Encarta 2009. 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Positivism. (2010). Encyclopedia Britannica.Encyclopedia Britannica Ultimate Reference

Suite. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica.

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