Foundations of Research Paradigms

What is a research paradigm?

• A worldview or belief system that influences researchers

• A method of data collection

• A statistical model

• A type of research design

What are the three dominant paradigms in psychology?

• Positivism, Constructivism, Pragmatism

• Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed

• Experimental, Observational, Survey

• Theoretical, Applied, Clinical

What is the core belief of Positivism?

• Reality exists independently of human perception

• Reality is socially constructed

• Research should prioritize what works

• Knowledge is co-constructed

What is the core belief of Constructivism?

• Reality exists independently of human perception

• Reality is socially constructed

• Research should prioritize what works

• Knowledge is valid when derived from empirical evidence

What is the core belief of Pragmatism?

• Reality exists independently of human perception

• Reality is socially constructed

• Research should prioritize what works in solving problems

• Knowledge is co-constructed

What does Ontology address?

• The nature of reality

• The nature of knowledge

• The methods of research

• The ethical considerations in research

What does Epistemology ask?

• What is the nature of the reality under investigation?

• How do we know what we know?

• What methods are used to investigate the problem?

• What assumptions about reality are being made?

What are the implications of paradigms for psychological research?

• They affect research design, data interpretation, and ethical considerations

• They only affect data interpretation

• They are irrelevant to research design

• They only affect ethical considerations

What is the nature of the reality under investigation in Positivist ontology?

• One objective reality exists

• Multiple subjective realities exist

• Reality is fluid

• Reality is constructed through interaction

What is the nature of the reality under investigation in Constructivist ontology?

• One objective reality exists

• Multiple subjective realities exist

• Reality is fluid

• Reality is constructed through interaction