Three Philosophical Research Paradigms

compare qualitative and quantitative approaches to research investigation in social science. After further examination of the relevant literature, a pragmatic approach has also been taken into consideration within this paper. I will discuss in detail about human perception and assumption and the impact that this can have on research investigation. I will critically discuss and compare the epistemological differences of quantitative and qualitative research approaches with an additional focus on a mixed

A research paradigm is a way of observing the world. It is composed of certain philosophical assumptions that guide and direct action and thinking. Traditional the main worldviews and paradigms that are presented as being fundamentally opposed are positivism/postpositivism and constructivism/interpretivism (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007; Morgan, 2007). Mixed methods research has been addressed as a response to the ongoing debates discussing the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative versus quantitative

Dominant Philosophical Schools of Thought in Nursing Name: Institution: Dominant Philosophical Schools of Thought in Nursing Modern science is currently dominated by three scientific philosophies, worldviews, or paradigms. The three dominant philosophies include empiricism, rationalism, and phenomenology/human science. Empiricism and rationalism are regularly referred to as received view while related worldviews and phenomenology/ human science are always termed as perceived view (McEwen &

The article begins by examining the notion of paradigms and worldviews as currently used in the nursing literature and suggests that the concept of a single paradigm supports a philosophy inconsistent with nursing’s goal of building knowledge on the nature of the human response. Next, the strength of plurality in nursing knowledge development, its warrantable

as a pattern involving the “normal science”, the transitional “scientific revolution”, and the later “paradigm shift”. Kuhn continues in the same fashion as Karl Popper, Alexander Koyre and Paul Feyerabend in the continuing critique of a positivistic interpretation of the history of science and offers an alternative perspective. Kuhn’s book specifically deals with the historical and philosophical aspects of science, but the book’s impact has had a significant influence on many other disciplines from

Consequently, qualitative research approach emerges from the philosophical belief that truth is socially constructed and subjective to individual experiences associated with critical theory, constructivism, interpretatism, and naturalistic paradigms (Feilzer, 2010; Ponterotto, 2010; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007; Scotland, 2012; Venkatesh, Brown, & Bala, 2013; Vishnevsky & Beanlands, 2004). Paradigms are the philosophical underpinning that guides qualitative research methodology as result evaluating

quality of care through evidence-based research. Nursing research provides the foundation for professional nursing practice (Fawcett, & Garity, 2009). Research, theory, and practice are interrelated. Through practice, questions arise challenging prevailing theories. This produces new theories. Theories guide nursing research. Evidence gathered through nursing research generates new nursing knowledge for practice. Therefore, the role of nursing research is to uncover evidence through the use

covering the topic on research paradigms. There are three major paradigms in the research paradigms which are the positivist paradigm research, interpretivist paradigm research and critical paradigm research. Each research paradigm has its own strengths and effectiveness due to their unique features which are specific to their particular approach as well as weaknesses. All researchers have their own beliefs and methods while conducting a research. Therefore, the ways of research studies conducted are

15). Quantitative researchers perceive reality as observable and external so that they are interested in conducting research which is based on measurement or calculation. Therefore, it is the ontological and epistemological beliefs that usually drive the methodological preferences, but what helps the researchers make their final decisions about research methods is the guiding research question(s). Sechrest and Sidani (1995) point out the commonality that both methodologies “describe their data, construct

various results through research. Research is vital to bring about new inventions, techniques and improvements and create a new body of knowledge. In nursing, research helps to bring about improvements in current practice, knowledge, patient outcomes as well as to create new polices and upgrade the existing ones. For example, a “re-challenge protocol” was created by the researchers to reduce the drug reactions caused by two chemotherapeutic agents. Likewise, numerous research is conducted to improve