What is Ontology & Epistemology?: In the Context of Designing your Research Project -Free PowerPoint

Summary

This video provides an insightful overview of key philosophical concepts in research design, focusing on ontology and epistemology. It explores how different views on reality (realism, nominalism, relativism) shape research methodology, guiding researchers on whether to use objective, quantitative methods (positivism) or subjective, qualitative approaches (social constructivism). The video emphasizes the importance of consistency in choosing methods that align with one’s philosophical stance and highlights the researcher’s role in shaping the investigation. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own perspectives on reality and how these influence their approach to research.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ontology and epistemology are two fundamental areas of philosophy that influence how research is designed.
• 😀 Ontology deals with the study of 'being' and explores questions about the nature of reality and existence.
• 😀 The famous 'double slit experiment' demonstrates that observation can influence the behavior of particles, highlighting debates around reality.
• 😀 There are different schools of thought in ontology, ranging from realism (objective reality) to nominalism (reality is created by individuals).
• 😀 In epistemology, positivism advocates for objective, unbiased observations of reality, while social constructionism emphasizes the role of individual perceptions in shaping reality.
• 😀 Researchers must consider how their philosophical stance (ontology and epistemology) affects their approach to answering research questions.
• 😀 The choice of research methods depends on whether a researcher adopts a positivist (quantitative) or social constructionist (qualitative) approach.
• 😀 Primary data is collected directly by the researcher, while secondary data comes from existing published sources.
• 😀 The role of the researcher varies depending on their philosophical stance: detached for positivists and involved for social constructionists.
• 😀 There is no universally 'correct' philosophical approach in research, but consistency and alignment with research objectives are key.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on understanding the philosophical foundations of research design, specifically Ontology and Epistemology, and how these concepts influence the way research is designed and conducted.

What is Ontology in research design?

Ontology is the philosophical study of being, which addresses questions about the nature of reality. It involves understanding how we perceive and define what is real, and how these perceptions influence research design.

How does Ontology impact research?

Ontology shapes how researchers view reality, whether they consider it as something objective and independent (Realism) or something that is subjectively constructed by individuals (Nominalism). This influences the approach researchers take in their investigations.

What are the four main schools of Ontology discussed in the video?

The four main schools of Ontology are Realism, Internal Realism, Relativism, and Nominalism. These schools differ in how they perceive the nature of reality, from seeing it as a fixed, objective truth to considering it as something created by human perception.

What is Epistemology and why is it important in research?

Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge acquisition, specifically how we know what we know. It helps researchers determine the best methods for investigating reality, distinguishing between justified beliefs and opinions, and influencing the methods used in research.

What are the two main schools of Epistemology mentioned in the video?

The two main schools of Epistemology are Positivism and Social Constructionism. Positivism focuses on objective observation and quantitative methods, while Social Constructionism emphasizes the subjective nature of reality and often uses qualitative research methods.

How do Positivism and Social Constructionism differ in their approach to knowledge?

Positivism asserts that knowledge should be gained through objective, unbiased observation of the external world, while Social Constructionism emphasizes that knowledge is shaped by social processes, individual perceptions, and beliefs.

What role does the researcher play in research based on their philosophical stance?

The researcher's role is influenced by their philosophical stance. A researcher following a Positivist approach may remain detached and objective, while a researcher adopting a Social Constructionist stance may be more involved and subjective, engaging with the people or phenomena being studied.

What is the relationship between Ontology, Epistemology, and research methodology?

Ontology and Epistemology form the foundation for choosing research methodologies. The way a researcher views reality (Ontology) and how they believe knowledge is acquired (Epistemology) determine whether they will use quantitative or qualitative research methods, for instance.

Why is it important for researchers to remain consistent with their philosophical stance?

Consistency between a researcher's philosophical stance (such as Realism or Social Constructionism) and the methods they employ is crucial for the integrity and validity of the research. Using inconsistent methods could lead to unreliable or inconclusive results.