Epistemology is a philosophical study of knowledge and what knowledge is, how it can be gained and proved to be certain, reasonable and acceptable. Since research is one way of gaining knowledge; understanding how epistemology and research interlinked are so decisive for conducting better quality research. Identifying the perspective of the study contributes much to the coherence to rationale of the study. This article therefore aimed at examining the definitions and meanings of epistemology; its contributions in facilitating research methodology, methods and strategies.
To this end different literatures and articles on epistemology were assessed. Thorough examinations were made on how different authors defined and elaborated the definitions and meanings of epistemology. The interface of research methodology and epistemology were analyzed. The main epistemological approaches are keenly scrutinized to identify which particular paradigm is more common and repeatedly acknowledged by many writers.
It is observed that giving brief epistemological philosophy up on which a given research stands/followed has paramount importance both to the researcher/writer and the reader. From the very onset; epistemology guides and informs the world view/ perspective of the researcher and therefore, the research paper. This makes the readers to adjust their views accordingly in order to better comprehend the core messages of the researcher. It is also helpful in how to consider and use the findings of the study. However since there are list of different approaches or component elements of epistemology; it sometimes raise confusion and difficulty to easily grasp the subject matter of epistemology. Because these paradigms are so much interrelated in a complex ways to the degree where they seem to be one and the same. For instance the difference between positivism and objectivism, relativism and subjectivism, constructivism and interpretivism is insignificant to many researchers, particularly to the novice ones. Again, though epistemology tries to explain what knowledge is, how it can be acquired, justified, and what sources of reliable knowledge are; so far no unanimous agreement and conviction among the scholars in the field.
Inhalt
1. Introduction
1.1 Definitions and Meanings of Epistemology
1.2 Epistemological Approaches, Assumptions and perspectives
1.3 The importance, benefit and linkage of epistemology and research methodology
2. Methodology
2.1 Research Methods
3. Research Ethics and what it should be
4. Conclusion
Reference:
Abstract
Epistemology is a philosophical study of knowledge and what knowledge is, how it can be gained and proved to be certain, reasonable and acceptable. Since research is one way of gaining knowledge; understanding how epistemology and research interlinked are so decisive for conducting better quality research. Identifying the perspective of the study contributes much to the coherence to rationale of the study. This article therefore aimed at examining the definitions and meanings of epistemology; its contributions in facilitating research methodology, methods and strategies.
To this end different literatures and articles on epistemology were assessed. Thorough examinations were made on how different authors defined and elaborated the definitions and meanings of epistemology. The interface of research methodology and epistemology were analyzed. The main epistemological approaches are keenly scrutinized to identify which particular paradigm is more common and repeatedly acknowledged by many writers.
It is observed that giving brief epistemological philosophy up on which a given research stands/followed has paramount importance both to the researcher/writer and the reader. From the very onset; epistemology guides and informs the world view/ perspective of the researcher and therefore, the research paper. This makes the readers to adjust their views accordingly in order to better comprehend the core messages of the researcher. It is also helpful in how to consider and use the findings of the study. However since there are list of different approaches or component elements of epistemology; it sometimes raise confusion and difficulty to easily grasp the subject matter of epistemology. Because these paradigms are so much interrelated in a complex ways to the degree where they seem to be one and the same. For instance the difference between positivism and objectivism, relativism and subjectivism, constructivism and interpretivism is insignificant to many researchers, particularly to the novice ones. Again, though epistemology tries to explain what knowledge is, how it can be acquired, justified, and what sources of reliable knowledge are; so far no unanimous agreement and conviction among the scholars in the field.
1. Introduction
This review presents a number of issues concerned with epistemological foundation of research. In the first place it assesses and presents various definitions and meanings of epistemology given by different authors. it explores some major approaches, assumptions, paradigms or perspectives of epistemology. Further it touches on the linkage between research and epistemology. Finally it presents the issue of research ethics and winds up by concluding what were discussed in the main body of the review with few paragraphs.
1.1 Definitions and Meanings of Epistemology
According to oxford language dictionary, epistemology is a branch of philosophy which deals with theory of knowledge; especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope, and the distinction between justified belief and opinion. Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (2020), touches on the original root of the term epistemology as coming from two Greek words: “episteme” and “logos”. “Episteme” can be translated as “knowledge” or “understanding” or “acquaintance”, while “logos” can be translated as “account” or “argument” or “reason”.
On the other hand, Avram stroll and A.P Martinich (2023) gives an alternative term ‘gnosiology’- theory of knowledge; and moves on to defining epistemology as the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. They have the same stand with Stanford encyclopedia in connection with the origin and meaning of the term, except that they only confined to two words to indicate the original meaning of the term: episteme-knowledge and logos-reason.
The word epistemology is derived from the ancient Greek episteme meaning "knowledge", and the suffix -logia, meaning "logical discourse"(Wikipedia). Merriam-webster dictionary on its part defines the word epistemology as “the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity”. The vocabulary dictionary defines epistemology as the philosophical theory of knowledge; the branch of philosophy that analyzes the principles and procedures of inquiry in a particular discipline and hence the rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge and ethics.
Epistemologyis a theory of knowledge concerning beliefs about “how phenomena can come to be known” (Giacomini, 2010); that is, how valid knowledge is produced. Pascale (2011) elaborates that epistemology is concerned with “the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge,” and that it provides “a justificatory account of the scientific production of knowledge”.
In the process of defining epistemology it seems a must to raise the issue of another very related philosophy which perhaps proceeds it, that is ontology to get complete understanding of the subject matter under discussion. Because ontological beliefs, or assumptions in philosophy parlance, shape the types of questions a researcher might pursue about how the world works or how people act or interact.
Ontology is the study of being, of the nature of existence. It is the study of
what exists, what is in reality, what is real, or in Crotty’s simplest form, “what is” and structure of reality (1998) or what it is possible to know about the world
(Snape & Spencer, 2003). The SAGE Online Dictionary of Social Research Methods (2006), defines ontology as a concept concerned with the existence of, and relationship between different aspects of society.
For Richards, (2003), ontology is the assumptions we make about
the kind and nature of reality and what exists. Snape and Spencer (2003) also define
ontology as the nature of the world and what we can know about it.
So from this we can infer that there is interface and complex relationship between ontology and epistemology. Where the former deals with the reality or what actually exists or physical world the later attempts to understand how it works, how it interacts and how can we approach and gain more knowledge about it through research. Their relationship can further be depicted by the following picture:
illustration not visible in this excerpt
Adapted from (Nicole B., 2023)
1.2 Epistemological Approaches, Assumptions and perspectives
An epistemological perspective provides a framework for predicting, describing, empowering, and deconstructing population-specific worldviews, increasing the base of knowledge that leads to enhanced understanding of the purpose behind qualitative research. Understanding of the key underpinnings of ontological and epistemological assumption determines and help the researcher in selecting appropriate research methodology and methods (Scotland, 2012).
There are many different types, paradigms or perspectives of epistemology. The most well repeatedly versed ones are empiricism and rationalism. While empiricism emphasizes the ability of humans to learn about reality using their senses, rationalism argues that knowledge comes from rational thought rather than from the external world.
Both these schools of thought(empricism & rationalism) are concerned with the source of knowledge and justification. The main difference between rationalism and empiricism is that rationalism considers reason as the source of knowledge whereas empiricism considers experience as the source of knowledge. Rationalism believes in intuition and claims that individuals have innate knowledge or concepts.
Nicole Brown presents the other two approaches; Positivism and interpretivism. The positivist paradigm is also known as a scientific paradigm (Mack L. 2010). Positivism is associated with certain concerns of empiricism. It says all genuine knowledge is based on sense experience and can only be advanced through observation and experiment (Cohen L, 2007). On the other hand Merriam (2009) identifies four primary epistemological perspectives including positivist/postpositivist, interpretive/constructivist, critical, and postmodern/poststructural.
An interpretivist (constructivist) perspective, which is the theoretical framework for most qualitative research, sees the world as being constructed, interpreted, and experienced by people in their interactions with one another and with larger social systems (Yin, R. K., 2003). Interpretivism is relativism from the standpoint of ontology (Leech N. & Onwuegbuzie, A, 2009). According to Guba and Lincoln (1994), relativism is the belief that reality is subjective and varies from person to person. interpretivism emphasizes the comprehension of social action and the causal explanation of social phenomena (Benton T, and Craib I., 2011).
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- Quote paper
- Mustefa Tola (Author), 2023, Review on Epistemological Foundations of Research and Research Ethics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1349829
