Understanding and Applying Research Paradigms in Educational Contexts

Abstract

The concept of research paradigm is one that many higher degree research students, and even early career researchers, find elusive to articulate, and challenging to apply in their research proposals. Adopting an ethnographic and hermeneutic methodology, the present paper draws upon our experiences as lecturers in Research Methods over many years, and upon pertinent literature to explain the meaning of research paradigm. The paper elucidates the key aspects of research paradigms that researchers should understand well to be able to address this concept adequately in their research proposals. It offers suggestions on how researchers can locate their research into a paradigm and the justification needed for paradigm choice. With the explicit purpose of helping higher degree research (HDR) students design effective research proposals, the paper also discusses the different research methodologies best suited to conduct research in each of the paradigms discussed.

Requirements for an eModeration System in Private Schools in South Africa

“…The pragmatist philosophy views research as a human experience based on the beliefs of individual researchers [27]. Pragmatism proposes a philosophy extending beyond "what works" [28] and encourages an inquiry based process of searching for knowledge with the aim of solving societal problems.…”

“…Focus group interviews explore the attitudes and perceptions of a homogeneous group of people focused on a given issue [29] and use a purposeful sample composed of information-rich participants resulting in a greater sharing of insights [27,28]. The demographics of the survey population is depicted in Table 2.…”

Locating The Critical Component In Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge (tpack): An Examination Of How Graduate Students Recruit Tpack And Critical Digital Literacy Into Classroom Practices

“…In conjunction with ontological beliefs, epistemological beliefs should be considered when determining methodology. Kivunja and Kuyini (2017) understanding of what was happening at a particular time and in a particular space. This can further lead to development of theories and provide direction for future studies (Charmaz, 2014;Smyth, 2006).…”

“…Kivunja and Kuyini (2017) explained that a research paradigm is "the conceptual lens through which the researcher examines the methodological aspects of their research project to determine the research methods that will be used and how the data will be analysed" (p. 26). A researcher's paradigm reflects his/her beliefs and practices which influence the development of the research questions as well the methods they choose for studying them (Kivunja and Kuyini, 2017;Morgan, 2007;Smyth, 2006). Knowing a researcher's paradigm provides an understanding of how meaning has been constructed from the data (Kivunja and Kuyini, 2017).…”

“…A researcher's paradigm reflects his/her beliefs and practices which influence the development of the research questions as well the methods they choose for studying them (Kivunja and Kuyini, 2017;Morgan, 2007;Smyth, 2006). Knowing a researcher's paradigm provides an understanding of how meaning has been constructed from the data (Kivunja and Kuyini, 2017).…”