Philosophy of Research Epistemology vs Ontology EPISTEMOLOGY What

Philosophy of Research Epistemology vs. Ontology

EPISTEMOLOGY • What is (or should be) regarded as acceptable knowledge in a discipline? – Can (should) the social world be studied according to the same principles as the natural sciences? • If the answer is YES, the research follows the doctrine of the natural science epistemology: Positivism (and also Realism) • If the answer is NO, the research follows the opposite to positivism doctrine: Interpretivism

ONTOLOGY • Can (should) social entities be considered objective entities – If the answer is YES: the research takes a position of Objectivism (social phenomena confront us as external – independent and objective – facts) • or are they social constructions – If the answer is NO: the research takes a position of Constructionism (Constructivism) – social phenomena and their meanings are continually being accomplished by social actors; the phenomena are not only produced through social interactions, but they are in a constant state of revision

Three epistemological positions: (1) Positivism, (2) Realism (3) Interpretivism

(1) Positivism • Research philosophy used by the natural sciences • The researcher = an objective analyst of the external world; the end product of the research are law-like generalizations • Makes detached interpretations about the data that have been collected in an objective manner – the researcher is independent of the subject of the research: • the researcher does not affect the subject of the research • the researcher is not affected by the subject of the research • Focus on – highly structured methodology and methods (e. g. , questionnaires) to facilitate replication – observations can be quantified; this permits statistical analysis

(2) Realism • Shares two features with Positivism: – A belief that the natural and social sciences should apply the same kind of approach to the collection of data and to explanation – A view that there is an external reality which is separate from our description of it • Realism is an attempt by some researchers in social sciences to adjust Positivism to studies of social phenomena – In particular, it allows for inclusion into their explanations of theoretical terms that sometimes cannot be observed – It also recognizes that people cannot be studied in the style of natural sciences; that it is important to understand how people think and interpret things, to take context (e. g. , time and place) into account

(3) Interpretivism • Opposite to Positivism • Argues that the social world of business and management is too complex and unique for the traditional natural sciences approaches – Therefore, it cannot be generalized; it depends on particular sets of circumstances and individuals • It is the role of interpretivists to seek to understand the subjective reality of those that they study – to understand their motives, actions, and intentions

Ontological considerations • Objectivism vs. Constructionism (also known as Constructivism) (1) Objectivism: an ontological position that implies that social phenomena confront us as external facts that are beyond our reach or influence – For example, an organization has rules and regulations; standarized procedures for getting things done; there is a hierarchy; mission statement; individuals have to conform to these rules; they do jobs to which they are appointed; they are told what to do and they tell others what to do; otherwise, they may be reprimanded or even fired

(2)Constructionism (Constructivism) • An ontological position that asserts that social phenomena and their meanings are continually being accomplished by social actors • It implies that social phenomena and categories are not only produced through social interactions but they are in a constant state of revision – For example, in some organizations rules are less extensive and less rigorously imposed than in other classic organizations • They are not commands but rather general understandings; the outcome are agreed-upon patterns of action in different situations that are the product of negotiations among the different parties involved • The social order is in a constant state of change (e. g. , in a hospital, everyday interactions may be more important than the official rules)

Links between Epistemology and Ontology • Epistemological orientation of Positivism is most likely linked to Ontological orientation of Objectivism (and Realism) • Interpretivism is usually linked to Constructionism • Research strategies (emerge from the above): – Quantitative research strategy (usually linked to Positivism and Objectivism/Realism and to Deductive Research) – Qualitative research strategy (usually linked to Interpretivism and Constructionism and to either Inductive Research or Grounded Theory)