Research Paradigm

1. Research Paradigms
Sajid Ali (02)

2. Concepts about Knowledge
 Ontology
Nature of knowledge
 Epistemology
Relationship of that knowledge with
researcher
 Methodology
How to find it practically?

3. Types of Paradigms
 Positivism (Natural)
 Objective perception of knowledge
 Anti-positivism (Interpretivism)
(Social)
 Subjective perception of knowledge
 Critical Theory (Historical)

4. Characteristics of Positivism
 Naturalistic enquiry
 Observation and reason (objectivity)
 Science is the only valid knowledge.
 Fact is the object of knowledge.
 The task of philosophy is to find the
general principles common to all
 Positivism denies intuition, prior
reasoning, theological and metaphysical
knowledge.
 Knowledge generation with the help of
quantification.

5. Characteristics of Anti-Positivism
(Interpretivism) (Social)
 Social reality is interpreted by the
individual according to the ideological
position one posses.
 Reality is multilayered and complex and
single phenomenon has multiple
interpretations.
 Qualitative approach for the social
inquiry.

6. Characteristics of Critical Theory
 It could describe the historical forces that
restrict human freedom and expose the
ideological justification of the forces.
1. Eg: Females are not good in mathematics,
most PhD students are males. What could
be the reason: Are they inherently dull in
mathematics?
2. In18th century Negros were unintelligent
and uneducated, but this wouldn't imply
that negros are inherently/genetically
more unintelligent than whites.

7. Strengths of Positivism Paradigm
 Generalizability
 Future predictions can be made (due to
Quantitative approach).
 It is precise in words
 Validity is stronger than anti-positivism
 Less complicated than anti-positivism

8.  Can’t be relied when human behavior is
investigated
 Suitable for General understanding, can’t
be applied for particular context.
 Inaccuracy in scientific data would alter
the end results.
Weaknesses of Positivism Paradigm

9. References
1. What is your paradigm? (n.d.). Retrieved August 14, 2016, from
http://www.erm.ecs.soton.ac.uk/theme2/what_is_your_paradigm.html
2. Dash, D. I. (n.d.). Module: Selection of the Research Paradigm and Methodology.
Retrieved August 14, 2016, from
http://www.celt.mmu.ac.uk/researchmethods/Modules/Selection_of_methodology/
3. Priya, R. (2014). Comte’s Positivism and Its Characteristics. Retrieved August 14,
2016, from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/comtes-positivism-and-its-
characteristics/43730/
4. Antipositivism. (n.d.). Retrieved August 14, 2016, from
http://positivists.org/blog/antipositivism
5. E. (n.d.). Critical Theory and Positivism. Retrieved August 14, 2016, from
http://forum.objectivismonline.com/index.php?/topic/13005-critical-theory-and-
positivism/