Frameworks in Research Lesley Jolly Strategic Partnerships ljolly@bigpond.net.au 0417 902 449
Considering epistemology orients us to the field
Epistemology deals with the nature of knowledge
Positivism holds that meaning exists external to the knower
Constructionism holds that meaning is constructed in minds
Any method can be used in either positivist or constructionist ways
Epistemology has implications for the kind of question we ask
It will influence our choice of theoretical framework
It will influence our choice of methodology
It provides a rationale for our choice of methods
Methods are chosen congruent with epistemology
Need to describe methods in detail
Need to consider analysis as well as data gathering
Can you justify the coherence of your research approach? epistemology theoretical perspective methodology methods constructionism symbolic interactionism ethnography participant observation survey * network analysis * structured tests * adapted from Crotty, M (1998) The Foundations of Social Research
Wider understanding of social research will help you make better procedural choices
Engineering knowledge + well-constructed research = more informed innovations in engineering education