This in-depth paper analyzes the methodology used by researchers in choosing a paradigm for research purposes while focusing on the philosophical presumptions which exist in regards to the nature of their primary research.
Abstract This well-researched paper defines the term 'research paradigm' as system of beliefs, values and techniques which are shared within a group or community. The writer of this paper focuses on research paradigms as a method of looking at the world while providing a specific foundation for researchers to understand what is going on around them. The writer contends and explains why paradigms are discernible by different sets of beliefs which are acquired from philosophical assumptions about the nature of reality. This paper focuses on both the positivist and interpretivist forms of paradigms as they relate to the field social science and research. Positivist paradigms stress significance and disposition while the interpretivist form of paradigms focus on substance and situation.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Social Science Research and Natural Science
What is a Paradigm?
The Positivist Paradigm The Interpretivist Paradigm Alternative Perspectives
Paradigms and Methods
Paradigms and the Research Proposal
Conclusions
References
From the Paper "Pragmatists acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. They recognize not only that science affects decision-making but also politics, ignorance, intuition, habit, and prejudice. They also understand the limitations--recommendations are tentative and of a probabilistic nature. Miles and Huberman comment that "we believe that all of us, realists, relativists, critical theorists, are closer to the center, with multiple overlaps." A growing body of social research takes a stand somewhere between the two schools of thought. Eclectic researchers recognize that no piece of social research can be entirely objective, since no researcher is value free. Even in an overtly rigorous quantitative, head counting study, some implicit decisions have already been made as to which heads are worth counting. Eclectic researchers can be more flexible in designing the research process."
Abstract This paper discusses women in the Middle East and looks at both the economic and liberal paradigms of Muslim women from the perspectives of authors, scholars and journalists. The paper also notes that in the past Muslim women have been stereotyped as having had little if anything to do with the economic side of life for their families. Authors referenced in this paper point out that part of that erroneous reporting is due to the fact that previously only male anthropologists have conducted field work on Muslim women and their roles in the home and community. The author explains that now there is a more accurate picture to be presented available due to female anthropological research.
Outline:
Introduction
Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women I
Liberal Paradigm - Muslim Women
Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women II
Liberal Paradigm - Muslim Women II
From the Paper "Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women I: Anne M. Jennings writes in Middle Eastern Women and the Invisible Economy (Jennings, 45) that there are old stereotypes about Muslim women and their participation in the family economic dynamics, and she believes research is needed in this area. For example, she explains that "thousands" of women earn money outside the home; this fact has been kept hidden largely because of the stereotype that the religion of Islam forbids women to be wage earners outside the home.
"Several reasons exist as to why the facts of female economics in Muslim countries have been unreported. One reason for this, Jennings writes, is that women often work in the "informal sector" - also called the "invisible economy" - and that money is rarely reported to agencies that collect taxes, for obvious reasons. Another reason for the seeming secrecy of women working outside the home is that Muslim males tend to deny that their wives are working, for reasons that are undisclosed by Jennings, but one can easily speculate that Muslim men may not wish to admit that their earnings are not sufficient to provide the family with adequate financial support."
Abstract This discussion focuses on the theory of narrative paradigm looking at
when and why the theory developed and how it has been researched. The author examines the theory in detail, discusses the views of the rational world paradigm, summarizes what scholars believe to be true about the paradigm theory and gives suggestions for future research in this area.
From the Paper "The Narrative Paradigm theory was created in the 1970's by Walter Fisher. (Narrative Paradigm Theory, n.d) Fisher created the theory because he felt that the rational world paradigm did not take into consideration the need for the narrative form of communication. Fisher asserts that the rational world paradigm only took into consideration the argumentative nature of communication a theory that was made famous by philosophers such as Aristotle. (Narrative Paradigm Theory)
Many experts in the field of communications assert that narratives play an important role in communication; Fisher reasoned that any type of communication is actually a form of storytelling. (Fournier 2002) Fisher's theory contends that human beings are animals whose ability to reason is based own our ability to tell stories. (Fournier). The following paragraphs will discuss Fisher's theory in detail and provide some insight into the methods that he used to produce this theory."
Abstract This paper explains that the paradigm is visualized as a structure for perceiving reality, which has been observed to shift over time in consequence with the variations in societal values or new scientific information but often have no strong basis for this variation. The author points out that the contemporary analysis of paradigms began with the publication of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn in 1962 and was extended to other spheres through the books and videos of Joel Barker. The paper relates that the "nurture of capital" is considered to be an illustration of the paradigm shift, which has strived to reformulate many businesses from a structure of domination to the modus operandi of cooperation.
From the Paper "The contemporary analysis of paradigms thus initiated with publication of the book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn in 1962 and extended to other spheres through the books and videos of Joel Barker. The present day organizations have demonstrated a revolutionary change since 1960s. Varied factors impelled such variations. Growing telecommunications, increasing diversity of workers, their perspectives and expectations has resulted in varied values. The public become more conscious to necessitate the organization to become more responsible socially. Such elements have necessitated adoption of new paradigm so as to become more sensitive, flexible and compatible to the requirement and expectations of the demands of the stakeholders. Most of the organizations felt it essential to abandon the traditional top-down, rigid and hierarchical structures to become more organic and fluid forms. The managers felt is essential presently to address the requirements of the continual, rapid variations."
Abstract This paper discusses the peace paradigm in terms of realism, power, conflict resolution, and social change. The paper explains the role of a paradigm, outlines the peace paradigm strategies used to obtain peace and presents a definition of power. Gives specific examples.
From the Paper "One of the approaches to the peace paradigm is through the study of the role played in obtaining peace through the exercise of power and coercive tactics. According to Lynn-Jones realism is usually regarded as a dominant and somewhat monolithic approach in the study of international relations. Within the realist approach there are divisions between offensive and defensive realism. Offensive realists argue that the international system tends to foster conflict and aggression, that security is scarce and international competition and war..."
Tags: political science, conflict resolution, realism, power
This paper examines the Napoleonic wars as an example of modern warfare and an assessment of contradictory explanations of war, the liberal and realist paradigms.
Abstract This paper explains that, while the major battles of the Napoleonic Wars occurred between the years 1803 and 1815, 18th century long-range factors, such as increased manpower and agricultural, financial and industrial resources, contributed to this prolonged and intense conflict. The author points out that the increase of available resources called for revised methods for command and control over armies. The paper describes, in detail, the relationship of countries, the wars and Napoleon's rise to power. The author states that the downfall of Napoleon can be said to rationalize the liberal paradigm, which proposes that interdependence based on internationally shared interests can mitigate international conflict; however, not all components of the liberal paradigm apply to the Napoleonic Wars. The paper states that the realist paradigm, which argues that the actual international structure may be conducive to warfare, offers a more complete analysis of the the Napoleonic war era.
From the Paper "Nearing the turn of the century, the French Revolution started to collide with greater European interests, posing a potential threat to international stability and order. To avoid being overthrown, the French king made an unsuccessful attempt to escape. When he was returned to Paris, he was suspended of all power and virtually placed under arrest. Leopold the II of Austria petitioned the royal families of Europe to help restore the French royal family, stating in the Declaration of Pillnitz that reinstating France's monarchy was in Europe's common interest and ultimately necessary to maintain international stability.
Tags: enlistment, mass production, austro-prussian interest structure
This research paper uses Taylor-Heald's article on ?Three Paradigms of Spelling Instruction in Grades 3 to 6? as a basis for identifying each of the methods.
Abstract The following paper describes each method in the article by Taylor-Heald, where three paradigms are identified as the traditional, the transitional and the student-oriented. Each of these paradigms is a model for teaching children the basic and fundamental concept of spelling. This paper examines how each method is utilized and also discusses Taylor-Heald's view on each of the methods. After looking at each of the methods separately, the writer examines, briefly, the major differences between the methods. It then discusses the implications of each of the methods, including how each method is used and the benefits of each method. This also includes looking at various other research studies that offer perspectives on the teaching of spelling. Finally the paper concludes by showing how the student-oriented approach does appear to be the most promising approach, just as Taylor-Heald suggests.
From the Paper ?The traditional paradigm, as the name suggests, is the main method of instruction that has been used in the American school system to teach spelling and also to teach the basics of language. The method is based on students being taught vocabulary in the form of words that do not relate to each other. These words are random and have no relationship to each other, or to anything else being taught to the students. The teacher gives these words to the students, with the students expected to memorize them and the students are tested on this at the end of the week.This approach assumes that students know nothing at the beginning and that all information must be given to them. This includes the idea that children have no knowledge of words, sounds or language.?
Abstract This paper examines how organisational science can be usefully conceived in terms of five key paradigms, based upon different sets of meta theoretical assumptions about the nature of social science and the nature of society. In particular, it discusses how R. Whittington (2001) devised a schema that aimed to map organisations through the classical, evolutionary, processual, systemic and critical management style paradigms, providing management theories in their institutional and historical contexts. The five concepts - classical, evolutionary, processual, systemic and critical are critically discussed and applied to theory.
From the Paper "The classical paradigm holds the view that there are a number of guiding principles that create an organisation and the jobs within it. It assumes that the application of rules and authority creates order and predictability. It ignores the very human qualities that make up the people employed in the organisation and does not allow for the application of individuality in the exercise of work responsibility (Morgan, 1997). Essentially, it is a bureaucratic, top-down hierarchical approach to management that has its associations with the military."
Abstract This paper examines and compares the basic elements, theories, and methods of cultural ecology and human behavioral ecology and discusses how the articles fit in their respective paradigms and within cultural ecology at large.
From the Paper "In any field of study, researchers operate under paradigms: often unnoticed scientific world-views that shape which data the researcher collects, how he/she collects it, and what conclusions he/she draws from that data. Two paradigms in the field of cultural ecology include classificatory cultural ecology, exemplified by Tappers and trappers: parallel process in acculturation (Murphy & Steward) and human behavioral ecology, as in Optimal diet breadth theory as a model to explain variability in Amazonian hunting (Hames and Vickers). Both of these articles study indigenous Amazonian populations, but each from a different paradigm and thus with different methods and results. Through a comparison of these two articles, this paper will explore the differences and similarities of these two paradigms and how the paradigms the researchers worked under shaped their studies."
Abstract This paper compares the post-World War II Cold War to the contemporary Culture Wars in the United States, using the macro-sociological paradigms of structural functionalism and social conflict theory, respectively.
Abstract This paper discusses Julie Rivkin's and Michael Ryan's essay "Feminist Paradigms," which discusses the separation of the sexes and how these structures might have been socially constructed.
Abstract It presents historical examples such as Einstein and Darwin. It also explores current paradigm shifts relating to cloning, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and stem cell research.
Abstract This paper examines the theory of paradigm shifts developed by Thomas S Kuhn in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". It then applies the concept outside the sciences.
Abstract This paper will discuss the book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn and explain what he means by "paradigm shift" within the realm of interpretation of revolutions that occur in science-specifically- the Copernican Revolution. By examining how the relationships of the perceiver of the revolution helps to transform the revolution, we can see how this idea pertains to the way that ideas are influenced not only from the inventor or creator of the revolution itself, but in the efforts of others that support it.
Abstract This paper examines the question of free will and whether it can be said to exist in light of the biological paradigm in psychology.
From the Paper "We human beings do have some genuine freedom of choice and therefore some effective control over our own destinies. I am not a determinist but I also believe that the decisive choice is seldom the latest choice in the series. More often than not it will turn out to be some choice made relatively far back in the past. This paper examines the question of whether free will can be said to exist within..."
