three concepts will affect how the others may be answered (Guba & Lincoln 1994, 108). Basically, theory of science could be argued to be the systemizing of these concepts, ontology, epistemology and methodology, in order to achieve the most suitable approach regarding problem solving, i.e. how one approaches a given problem in order to provide a fulfilling solution (Herslund 2004, 20). Table 1 provides an overview of the different basic beliefs regarding the three concepts of ontology, epistemology and methodology and how these relate to four overall paradigms: Positivism, Post-positivism, Constructivism and Critical Theory and the specific aim of the research. Table 1 Objectivist ----------------------------------------------------------- Subjectivist Basic Beliefs regarding Paradigms Positivism Post positivism Constructivism Critical Theory (Interpretivism) Ontology realism” “Naïve “Critical “Relativism” “Historical Only one reality Realism” Not one, but Realism” exists. Reality can be several truths. The Knowledge Unchangeable apprehended, world is ever depends on the laws of nature but changing and social and control the perfectly. reality is historically world. dependent on determined Knowledge is time, place and time. independent of context. time or context Epistemology Objectivism. Objectivism, but Subjectivism. Subjectivism. Distanced and with emphasis Knowledge is Results are neutral on a created through value-laden. researcher. No probabilistic the interaction Knowledge is interaction evaluation of between the created through between the the result. researcher and the the interaction researcher and subject. between the the observed. researcher and the subject. Methodology Experimental Modified Hermeneutical, Hermeneutical setting. experimental dialectical and and dialectical. setting. phenomenological. Falsification of hypotheses. Application of
three concepts will affect how the others may be answered (Guba & Lincoln 1994, 108). Basically, theory of science could be argued to be the systemizing of these concepts, ontology, epistemology and methodology, in order to achieve the most suitable approach regarding problem solving, i.e. how one approaches a given problem in order to provide a fulfilling solution (Herslund 2004, 20). Table 1 provides an overview of the different basic beliefs regarding the three concepts of ontology, epistemology and methodology and how these relate to four overall paradigms: Positivism, Post-positivism, Constructivism and Critical Theory and the specific aim of the research. Table 1 Objectivist ----------------------------------------------------------- Subjectivist Basic Beliefs regarding Paradigms Positivism Post positivism Constructivism (Interpretivism) Critical Theory Ontology “Naïve realism” Only one reality exists. Unchangeable laws of nature control the world. Knowledge is independent of time or context “Critical Realism” Reality can be apprehended, but perfectly. “Relativism” Not one, but several truths. The world is ever changing and reality is dependent on time, place and context. “Historical Realism” Knowledge depends on the social and historically determined time. Epistemology Objectivism. Distanced and neutral researcher. No interaction between the researcher and the observed. Objectivism, but with emphasis on a probabilistic evaluation of the result. Subjectivism. Knowledge is created through the interaction between the researcher and the subject. Subjectivism. Results are value-laden. Knowledge is created through the interaction between the researcher and the subject. Methodology Experimental setting. Modified experimental setting. Falsification of hypotheses. Application of Hermeneutical, dialectical and phenomenological. Hermeneutical and dialectical.
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