Ontology and epistemology in research - They're not as complex as they sound!

Summary

In this insightful video, Dr. Elizabeth Yardley demystifies the concepts of ontology and epistemology, essential frameworks in social sciences. Ontology, the 'What?' question, examines how we perceive the social world—either as an objective reality (realist) or a subjective experience shaped by individuals (idealist). Epistemology, the 'How?' question, explores our approach to studying this world, distinguishing between positivist methods that seek to explain causes and interpretivist approaches that focus on understanding meanings. By clarifying these foundational concepts, Dr. Yardley empowers students to enhance their academic work and critical analysis skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ontology addresses the question 'What?' regarding the nature of the social world.
• 😀 Epistemology focuses on the question 'How?' concerning the methods of studying the social world.
• 😀 Realism in ontology views the social world as a concrete reality that exists independently of human perception.
• 😀 Idealism in ontology sees the social world as fluid and subjectively constructed, shaped by individual experiences.
• 😀 Positivists in epistemology seek to explain social phenomena similarly to natural sciences, emphasizing objectivity and cause identification.
• 😀 Interpretivists in epistemology prioritize understanding meanings and individual perspectives, recognizing the uniqueness of human behavior.
• 😀 The distinction between realism and idealism is crucial for understanding different perspectives on social research.
• 😀 A realist stance views social structures as fixed and unbiased, while an idealist stance sees them as flexible and changeable.
• 😀 Understanding ontology and epistemology helps students develop a clearer framework for their research in social sciences.
• 😀 Dr. Elizabeth Yardley encourages students to embrace theory and critical analysis to achieve academic success.

Q & A

What is ontology?

Ontology is the study of the nature of being and reality, primarily addressing the question 'What am I looking at?' It examines how we perceive the social world.

What is epistemology?

Epistemology is the study of knowledge and justified belief, focusing on the question 'How do I study it?' It outlines the methods and strategies for generating knowledge about the social world.

How does a realist perspective view the social world?

A realist perspective sees the social world as a tangible, objective reality that exists independently of individual perceptions, much like a hotel that remains unchanged regardless of who stays in it.

What is the idealist perspective on the social world?

The idealist perspective views the social world as fluid and subject to constant change, similar to a home that individuals create and modify, reflecting their personal influences and emotions.

What are the two main positions within epistemology?

The two main positions are positivism, which seeks to explain causes through objective observation, and interpretivism, which aims to understand meanings by empathizing with individual experiences.

What is the approach of positivists in social research?

Positivists approach social research similarly to natural sciences, focusing on objectivity, testing existing theories, and identifying causal relationships in human behavior.

How do interpretivists conduct their research?

Interpretivists conduct research inductively, generating new theories based on observations of human behavior and emphasizing the subjective meanings individuals assign to their experiences.

Why is understanding ontology important for researchers?

Understanding ontology is crucial for researchers because it shapes their approach to studying the social world and influences the kind of research questions they formulate.

What does the speaker suggest for students struggling with theory?

The speaker suggests checking out her digital course, Theory Boss, which is designed to help social science students master theory and improve their critical analysis skills.

What is the primary difference between the realist and idealist stances?

The primary difference is that realists view the social world as a fixed, external reality, while idealists see it as a constantly evolving construct shaped by individual interactions and interpretations.