Paradigms in social science, a beginner’s guide to positivism, interpretivism and critical realism
Welcome to my beginner's guide to paradigms in social science, where we unravel the mysteries of positivism, interpretivism, and critical realism!
What’s a paradigm?
Let's start by demystifying the term "paradigm." Think of it as the research culture, encompassing how we approach research, our beliefs about its purpose, and the methods we use to conduct it.
It's kind of like those high school cliques we all remember – you've got your science geeks, your artsy creatives, your social justice warriors – each with its own vibe and way of doing things.
So, what are these paradigms all about? Well, let's break it down using our high school analogy:
Positivism: The Science Geeks
Picture the science geeks in high school – all about hard facts, quantifiable data, and objective truth. Positivists are like that. They believe in measuring and predicting phenomena, just like scientists in a lab. For them, research is all about systematic observation and analysis, much like conducting experiments in a controlled environment.
Interpretivism: The Artsy Creatives
Now, imagine the artsy creative clique. Interpretivists are a bit like them. They're all about delving into the richness and complexity of human experiences, focusing on stories, meanings, and subjective perspectives. Instead of crunching numbers like the positivists do, they use qualitative methods like interviews and observations to understand the nuances of human behavior.
Critical Realism: The Social Justice Warriors
And last but not least, we've got the social justice warriors. Critical realists dig beneath the surface to uncover the deeper structures and mechanisms shaping our reality. They blend elements of positivism and interpretivism while championing social justice, aiming to address underlying structures of oppression and inequality.
Now, let's put these paradigms into action with a hypothetical study: "High school students' use of artificial intelligence (AI) in assignments."
Positivist Approach:
Imagine a study titled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Integration on Academic Performance." Positivist researchers might gather quantitative data through surveys, analysing patterns and correlations between AI usage and academic achievement. Think of it as applying scientific principles to understand how AI impacts students' academic experiences.
Interpretivist Approach:
On the flip side, an interpretivist study might be titled "Exploring High School Students' Perceptions and Experiences with AI in Assignments." Here, researchers would dive into students' subjective experiences through interviews and focus groups, aiming to understand the meanings and motivations behind their interactions with AI.
Critical Realist Approach:
Lastly, a critical realist study titled "Uncovering Mechanisms of AI Adoption among High School Students" might take a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative data to uncover both observable behaviors and underlying social structures influencing AI adoption.
So, there you have it – a crash course in research paradigms! Whether you're a positivist crunching numbers, an interpretivist unraveling narratives, or a critical realist delving into deeper structures, each paradigm offers its own unique perspective on the world of research.
I hope this blog post has shed some light on the often murky waters of paradigms in research. If you have any questions or thoughts, drop them in the comments below. Remember, we're all in this together on the journey of knowledge discovery!
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This course offers a clear, jargon-free introduction to five key research paradigms: positivism, post-positivism, interpretivism, critical realism, and pragmatism. Designed for PhD students and ambitious masters degree students, this course simplifies complex concepts, helping you to get confident with paradigms.
Paradigms for Beginners