2.3 Research issues - Theorists

Question 1

Ackroyd & Hughes

choice of method

Answer 1

Research methods are not tools appropriate or inappropriate for particular tasks. research methods do not have a single, clear, straightforward purpose.

Question 2

Dunican

choice of method (practical consideration)

Answer 2

suggests, fitness of purpose ‘reflects how well the chosen research method is suited to the context of study. this is measured in terms of how well it is suited to answering the issues posed in the research question.

Question 3

Kuhn

Answer 3

arguing that the evolution of scientific knowledge is limited by what he called ‘paradigms’. A paradigm is a basic world-view which provides a framework for thinking about the world. It includes basic assumptions about the nature of reality, which limit the kind of questions scientists ask in their research.

most scientists build their careers working within the dominant paradigm, effectively ignoring any evidence which doesn’t fit in with their general framework, and any scientist who tries to ask questions outside of the ‘dominant paradigm’ is marginalised, and not taken seriously.

‘rogue scientists’ who look at the world differently do exist, and engage in alternative research, and when sufficient evidence builds up which contradicts already existing paradigms, a ‘paradigm shift’ occurs, in which the old paradigms are rejected, and a new dominant paradigm comes into force.