Advanced Research Methodology 1 Fundamental Issues in Philosophy

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Advanced Research Methodology 1. Fundamental Issues in Philosophy of Science Dr. Patricia Bauer Ph.

Advanced Research Methodology 1. Fundamental Issues in Philosophy of Science Dr. Patricia Bauer Ph. D Euro. Med - FEPS Cairo University Fall 2007

Elements of Research Framework 1. Elements of Inquiry: • Knowledge claims / Epistemological preferences

Elements of Research Framework 1. Elements of Inquiry: • Knowledge claims / Epistemological preferences • Alternative Strategies • Methods 2. Approaches to Research: • Quantitative • Qualitative • Mixed 3. Selection of an Approach • Reasons

Epistemological Preferences 1 Empirical-Analytical • Postpositivist = Science Oriented = empiricalanalytical • Evidence is

Epistemological Preferences 1 Empirical-Analytical • Postpositivist = Science Oriented = empiricalanalytical • Evidence is always fallible and imperfect (Karl Popper) • Hypotheses can only be rejected, not be proved • Research as a process of refining claims • Science as explaining reality by causal relationships • Objectivity is possible

Epistemological Preferences 2 Social Constructivism • Contexts determine our perceptions and knowledge • Knowledge

Epistemological Preferences 2 Social Constructivism • Contexts determine our perceptions and knowledge • Knowledge is therefore always depending on the context it is stemming from • Research focus is the interpretation of the social reality we find • Creation of narratives

Epistemological Preferences 3 Critical Theory • Participatory normative foundation and aims • Epistemic interests:

Epistemological Preferences 3 Critical Theory • Participatory normative foundation and aims • Epistemic interests: discovering inequality and suppressive relations in society • The developed concepts mostly aim at the establishment of unsuppressed social relations (Habermas) • Partially related to dialectical or postmodernist or constructivist positions

Epistemological Preferences 4 Pragmatist Positions • Important is the solution of problems, not the

Epistemological Preferences 4 Pragmatist Positions • Important is the solution of problems, not the acceptance of truth • Truth is provided by practical application and efficiency of theories • Variety and variation of methods is a central attribute of this position

Alternative Strategies and Methods • Quantitative: experiments and surveys, empirical approach • Qualitative: case

Alternative Strategies and Methods • Quantitative: experiments and surveys, empirical approach • Qualitative: case studies, narratives, grounded theories, interviews, interpretative approach • Mixed: combination of empirical and interpretative approaches

Methods, Approaches and Theories • Not all methods are compatible with every epistemological position!

Methods, Approaches and Theories • Not all methods are compatible with every epistemological position! Can you find examples? • The most important step is to find an approach that fits the problem in question! Can you give some examples of matching and non-matching problems and questions?