Ontology and Epistemology

What is meant by ontology and

Epistemology

• The term ontology concerns what is said to exist in some world --

that which potentially can be talked about.
Epistemology
• According to Aristotle “It is the science of justified true belief”
• "the nature of human knowledge and understanding that can
possibly be acquired through different types of inquiry and
alternative methods of investigation.“
• All beliefs are not instances of knowledge
Research and Ontology and
Epistemology
Role in Research
• The ontological question
What is the form and nature of reality and, therefore,
what is there that can be known about it?
• The epistemological question
What is the nature of the relationship between the
knower or would-be knower and what can be
known?
• The methodological question
How can the inquirer go about finding out whatever
he or she believes can be known?
 Two Views of World
• Objectivistic Worldview
• Constructivistic Worldview
• What is Objectivism
• What is Subjectivism
• What is Concrete
• What is Abstract
• What is Hunch (an idea that is based on feeling and for which there is no proof)
• What is Concept (A concept is an abstraction or generalization from experience or the result of a transformation of existing ideas)

• What is Construct (an idea or theory containing various conceptual elements)

• What is Phenomenon (situation that is observed or structures of occurrence)

• What is Paradigm (A paradigm is a standard, perspective, or set of ideas)

• What is Model (physical, or verbal representation or simplified version of a concept, phenomenon, relationship,
structure, system, or an aspect of the real world), Iconic, Analogous, Symbolic
Constructivism Research
Philosophy
• “Constructivism is the recognition that reality is a product of
human intelligence interacting with experience in the real
world. As soon as you include human mental activity in the
process of knowing reality, you have accepted constructivism”
Davis Elkind
• Constructivism accepts reality as a construct of human mind,
therefore reality is perceived to be subjective. Moreover, this
philosophical approach is closely associated
with pragmatism and relativism. Constructivism philosophy is
based on cognitive psychology and its background relates to
Socratic method, ancient Greece. Nevertheless, popularity of
constructivism as a perspective in epistemology increased in
recent years.
 Objectivistic Worldview
From an objectivistic point of view, the Universe of Discourse is comprised of
distinct objects with properties independent of the inquiring observer
(Hirschheim et al., 1995:58). If two observers do not understand a phenomenon in
the same way, it is due to human imperfection, e.g., lack of training, errors of
judgement, illusions or plain misunderstanding (Lakoff and Johnson, 1980:187).
Epistemologically, observers get their knowledge about the world by experiencing
it. It is generally possible for humans to investigate the world without influencing
it (Guba and Lincoln, 1994:110).

With an objectivistic worldview, a mountain is a mountain for

everyone, a product is a product for everyone, and a work
process is a work process for everyone.
 Constructivistic Worldview
• constructivistic worldview is shaped by the use and users of the term, and there
is no widely agreed upon view of the paradigm
• realities are local and specific in the sense that they vary between groups of
individuals
• Constructions, being ontological elements of realities, are not absolutely true or
correct in any sense, only more or less informed and sophisticated
• However, even if all constructions are meaningful, some may rather be termed
mal-constructions, as they obviously are too simplistic or inconsistent.
• reality is socially constructed, i.e., the constructions are not
personal/mechanical or technical
• Although perception and thinking necessarily is individual, the construction
process involves other social and cultural artifacts and therefore inevitably
becomes social.
 Model of Social Construction of
Reality in Organizations

The social construction of reality in organizations (Gjersvik, 1993)

Epistemological Balloon
Epistemological Paradigms in
Research
• Positivism/Post Positivism Paradigm
• Interpretivism Paradigm
• Critical Paradigm
• Pragmatic Paradigm
Positivism/Post Positivism
• The ontological position of positivism is realism. Realism is the view that
objects have an existence independent of the knower discoverable reality exists
independently of the researcher
• Positivists go forth into the world impartially, discovering absolute knowledge
about an objective reality.
• The researcher and the researched are independent entities
• Meaning solely resides in objects, not in the conscience of the researcher
• Phenomena have an independent existence which can be discovered via
research
• knowledge is considered to be absolute and value free; it is not situated in a
political or historic context
• Deductive approach is undertaken.
Interpretivism Paradigm

• The ontological position of interpretivism is relativism

• Relativism is the view that reality is subjective and differs from person to
person
• Our realties are mediated by our senses
• Without consciousness the world
• Reality is individually constructed; there are as many realities as
individuals.is meaningless
 Critical/Advocacy Paradigm

• The ontological position of the critical paradigm is historical realism.

• Historical realism is the view that reality has been shaped by social, political,
cultural, economic, ethnic, and gender values
• Reality is alterable by human action
Choice of Research Design
Quantitative Vs Qualitative
Abstract
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Basis for Comparison Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning

Approach Bottom-up approach Top-down approach

Starting point Conclusion Premises

Based on Patterns or trend Facts, truths and rules

Observation > Pattern >

Theory > Hypothesis > Observation >
Process Tentative Hypothesis >
Confirmation
Theory

Argument May or may not be strong. May or may not be valid.

Goes from specific to

Structure Goes from general to specific
general
• To sum up, inductive and deductive reasoning are the two
kinds of logic, which are used in the field of research to
develop the hypothesis, so as to arrive at a conclusion, on the
basis of information, which is believed to be true.
Qualitative vs . Quantitative
QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
• Identify intensity through data
• Gives popular opinion • Gives insight to problem
• Based on existing hypothesis • Helps to develop I & hypothesis
• Objective • Subjective
• Generalizable • Less generalizable
• Confound to method • Methodologically flexible
• Stick to theory • Interplay between theory & analysis
• Number based • Text based/image based etc.
• Opinion based • In-depth
• Structured • Unstructured
• Statistical procedures • Less statistical
• Researcher is out • Researcher is part
• Narrower in scope • Broader in scope
 Qualitative vs. Quantitative
QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE
• Data gathering late • Data gathering earlier
• Concrete • Abstract
• Positivist point of view • Interpretive point of view
• Design is pre-decided • Design emerges during study
• data gathering instrument • Researcher is himself instrument
• Need to understand variables • Need to understand Phenomenon
• Larger interaction with population • Smaller & not randomly selected
• Smaller segment • Study of the whole, not variables
• Indentify trends • Identify patterns, features, themes
• No researcher's biases • Researchers biased
• Study in controlled environment • Study behavior in a natural environment

ly
Research Process:
A Quick Glance
Research Process
Ontology & Epistemology
 Idea of Research
Pick the Hypothise
Topic It

Translate Learn More

Topic into from Tacit
Questions & Explicit
Sources

Review the
Build Topic
Theory
Characteristics of good topics?
 Interesting – keeps the researcher interested in it throughout
the research process

 Researchable – can be investigated through the collection and

analysis of data

 Significant – contributes to the improvement and

understanding of educational theory and practice

 Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s level of research

skills, needed resources, and time restrictions

 Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants

 Ways of Defining Research
Problem

 Formal (nominal), defining with words

 Example (epistemic), defining by example
 Procedural (operational), defining a method to
recognize examples
 SMART Objectives

S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time-bound
 Writing For Discussion
Interpretive Writing
Interpretation goes beyond facts to reveal meanings and relationships, which helps
visitors better engage with objects and places.

Discursive Writing
Firstly there are persuasive essays in which you can argue strongly either in favor of
or against a given discussion.

Creative Writing
Discover the style, structure and conventions associated with writing short stories
and play-scripts.

Reflective writing
Reflective writing involves writing about an experience you have had. You should
show how you felt about what happened to you both at the time and, if the
experience is over, how you feel about it when you look back on it.
Publishing Research