Theme: Ontology, Epistemology, and Methodological Worldviews
Duration: 1 week (self-paced study)
Level: MA / MSc / PhD Preparation
Format: Fully self-contained lesson
🔷 2.1 Purpose of This Module
Before selecting a method or collecting data, every researcher must clarify their philosophical position. This module helps you understand the hidden assumptions that shape research choices—what you believe about truth, knowledge, reality, and how it can be studied.
By the end, you will be able to:
- Define ontology, epistemology, and methodology
- Identify and explain key research paradigms
- Articulate your own philosophical positioning
- Align your chosen paradigm with an appropriate research design
🧭 2.2 What Is a Research Paradigm?
A research paradigm is a set of beliefs about reality (ontology), knowledge (epistemology), and how to investigate them (methodology). It acts as the worldview or lens through which you approach your study.
🧱 Paradigm Structure:
| Concept | Guiding Question | Example Belief |
|---|---|---|
| Ontology | What is reality? Does it exist independently of us? | Reality is objective (positivism) or multiple and subjective (interpretivism). |
| Epistemology | How can we know it? What counts as knowledge? | Knowledge is observable (positivism) or constructed through experience (constructivism). |
| Methodology | How should we study it? | Experiments, interviews, ethnography, case studies, etc. |
🧠 2.3 The Four Core Research Paradigms
1️⃣ Positivism
- Ontology: Reality is fixed and measurable.
- Epistemology: Knowledge is objective and can be discovered.
- Methodology: Quantitative; experiments, surveys, statistical analysis.
- Researcher Role: Detached, neutral observer.
Example Applications:
- Testing whether a new medication reduces depression using a randomised trial.
- Measuring job satisfaction across 500 employees using a Likert-scale survey.
- Analysing crime statistics to assess the effectiveness of policing methods.
2️⃣ Interpretivism (Constructivism)
- Ontology: Reality is subjective and socially constructed.
- Epistemology: Knowledge is co-created between researcher and participant.
- Methodology: Qualitative; interviews, case studies, participant observation.
- Researcher Role: Co-participant, interpreter.
Example Applications:
- Interviewing immigrants about their lived experiences of assimilation.
- Observing how teachers interpret new policies in classroom practice.
- Analysing diary entries to explore emotional reactions to remote work.
3️⃣ Critical Theory
- Ontology: Reality is shaped by power structures and inequality.
- Epistemology: Knowledge is political; it reflects social and ideological contexts.
- Methodology: Action research, participatory research, discourse analysis.
- Researcher Role: Advocate for marginalised voices; challenge the status quo.
Example Applications:
- Analysing school policies through a feminist or anti-racist lens.
- Studying the digital divide through interviews with low-income families.
- Collaborating with youth activists to research climate justice.
4️⃣ Pragmatism
- Ontology: Reality is dynamic; truth depends on outcomes and context.
- Epistemology: Knowledge is practical and problem-based.
- Methodology: Mixed methods; choice of tools depends on the research problem.
- Researcher Role: Solution-seeker; flexible and adaptive.
Example Applications:
- Evaluating a mental health app using surveys and user interviews.
- Combining focus groups and test scores to improve a school programme.
- Using multiple data sources to develop a community health strategy.
📊 2.4 Comparison Table of Paradigms
| Paradigm | Ontology | Epistemology | Methodology | Key Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positivism | One objective reality | Discoverable through observation | Structured, hypothesis-driven | Surveys, experiments, stats |
| Interpretivism | Multiple constructed realities | Co-created with participants | Narrative, open-ended, inductive | Interviews, ethnography |
| Critical | Reality shaped by power and ideology | Reflective, political, emancipatory | Transformative, collaborative | Action research, discourse |
| Pragmatism | Contextual, fluid realities | What works in practice | Methodologically plural | Mixed methods, case studies |
🛠 2.5 Self-Learning Task Set (Independent Exercises)
✍️ TASK 1: Paradigm Matching Exercise
Match the research question with the appropriate paradigm.
| Research Question | Likely Paradigm | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| “How does access to green space affect physical activity?” | Positivism | Uses measurable variables |
| “How do single mothers experience balancing work and home life?” | Interpretivism | Subjective, lived experience |
| “How are migrants represented in British media headlines?” | Critical | Analyses power, ideology |
| “How can both survey and interview results improve public library services?” | Pragmatism | Practical, mixed-method approach |
✅ Create 3 more of your own examples in this format.
🧠 TASK 2: Personal Paradigm Identification
Write a 300–400 word reflection on your beliefs:
- What do you believe about reality (ontology)?
- How do you think knowledge is formed (epistemology)?
- What does this mean for how you’ll conduct research (methodology)?
Prompt:
Do you believe there’s one true answer (like a scientist)?
Or that people’s stories are equally valid truths (like a sociologist)?
Or are you more focused on what works practically?
🗃 TASK 3: Paradigm-to-Method Mapping Table
Fill in the table below with your own planned study.
| Your Topic | Paradigm | Ontology Belief | Method(s) You Would Use | Why This Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: “Digital learning and anxiety” | Pragmatism | Truth is context-dependent | Survey + Interviews | To explore both trend and experience |
✅ Try completing this for 2–3 of your own topic ideas.
📚 2.6 Built-in Knowledge Review
✅ Self-Quiz (No external resources required):
- What is the difference between ontology and epistemology?
- Which paradigm believes that reality is socially constructed?
- What types of methods would a positivist vs. interpretivist researcher use?
- If you wanted to challenge injustice, which paradigm fits best?
- Why might pragmatism be useful in interdisciplinary research?
Write your answers in your learning journal. Then review the tables above to check and refine.
🔍 2.7 Summary of Key Takeaways
- All research is based on philosophical assumptions, whether explicit or not.
- These assumptions shape what you study, how you study it, and how you interpret results.
- The four main paradigms are positivism, interpretivism, critical theory, and pragmatism.
- A well-designed study should align your research question, paradigm, and methods.
- Reflecting on your own beliefs improves the integrity of your research.
✅ End-of-Module Self-Evaluation Checklist
| Concept | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| I can define ontology, epistemology, and methodology | ☐ |
| I understand the 4 main paradigms and their assumptions | ☐ |
| I matched sample research questions with paradigms | ☐ |
| I reflected on my own worldview and research fit | ☐ |
| I designed a table linking paradigm to topic and method | ☐ |