Research Terminology: Definitions and Distinctions



Research Terminology: Definitions and Distinctions

a. Paradigm

According to the definition of Paradigm mention in Webster Dictionary, Paradigm is self-contained, simplified pattern or example that are used by us for the illustration of processes, procedure and theoretical points. The most stated definition of paradigm is the one proposed by Thomas Kuhn's (1962, 1970) concept in the nature of Science revolution. According to it, paradigm is an underlying assumptions and intellectual structure based on which the study and establishment of a field of investigation takes place. Some other definition of paradigm is stated as below:

According to Patton (1990), Paradigm is the view of world, or a general point of view, a manner of breaking down the intricacy of the world.

According to Guba (1990), Paradigm is a framework that can be interpretive. It is guided by a series of feelings and beliefs regarding the whole world and the way it is ought to be comprehended and analyzed.

According to Denzin and Lincoln (2001), there are three classes of those categories beliefs:

a) Methodology: This category is about the way we know the world and obtain the knowledge regarding it.

b) Ontology: It is the category that tells, what type of people is human being. This category manages the question of what is real.

Epistemology: It shows the kind of relationship between the known and inquirer

While challenging the perceptions caused by positivism, it has also been identified by Lincoln and Guba (2000) that there are two more categories that distinguish various paradigms, i.e. believe in oxiology and causality. The postulation of Causality emphasizes the state of the nature of potential of casual association, however; oxiology manages the problems of values. Particular postulations regarding study contain the importance of value in the research, the way to avert value from impacting the study and ...