1. Advanced Research Methodology - 1. Fundamental Issues in Philosophy of Science Dr. Patricia Bauer PhD EuroMed - FEPS Cairo University Fall 2007

2. Elements of Research Framework 1.Elements of Inquiry: Knowledge claims / Epistemological preferences Alternative Strategies Methods 2.Approaches to Research: Quantitative Qualitative Mixed 3. Selection of an Approach Reasons

3. Epistemological Preferences 1 Empirical-Analytical Postpositivist = Science Oriented = empirical- analytical Evidence is always fallible and imperfect (Karl Popper) Hypotheses can only be rejected, not be proved Research as a process of refining claims Science as explaining reality by causal relationships Objectivity is possible

4. Epistemological Preferences 2 Social Constructivism Contexts determine our perceptions and knowledge Knowledge is therefore always depending on the context it is stemming from Research focus is the interpretation of the social reality we find Creation of narratives

5. Epistemological Preferences 3 Critical Theory Participatory normative foundation and aims Epistemic interests: discovering inequality and suppressive relations in society The developed concepts mostly aim at the establishment of unsuppressed social relations (Habermas) Partially related to dialectical or postmodernist or constructivist positions

6. Epistemological Preferences 4 Pragmatist Positions Important is the solution of problems, not the acceptance of truth Truth is provided by practical application and efficiency of theories Variety and variation of methods is a central attribute of this position

7. Alternative Strategies and Methods Quantitative: experiments and surveys, empirical approach Qualitative: case studies, narratives, grounded theories, interviews, interpretative approach Mixed: combination of empirical and interpretative approaches

8. Methods, Approaches and Theories Not all methods are compatible with every epistemological position! Can you find examples? The most important step is to find an approach that fits the problem in question! Can you give some examples of matching and non-matching problems and questions?