Philosophical Orientation

Philosophical Orientation

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Philosophical Orientation

Theory is a framework or model for observation and understanding which shapes what we see and how we see it. It is an important aspect in research as it guides a researcher into asking crucial questions that lead to explaining or pointing out relationship between variables. My world view is based and influenced by positivism philosophical orientation (Newman, & Benz, 2006). This is a school of thought where the world is real, that there is a single objectivity to any research phenomenon regardless of the researcher’s perspective or belief. Positivism research dictates that one has to distance themselves or detach from participants. This is important as it ensures one remain neutral emotionally and make clear distinctions between reality, subjectivism and emotions. (Newman, & Benz, 2006)

My worldview aligns itself with positivism as it allows an in depth use of mathematical and statistical techniques to uncover single and unquestionable objectives. In the positivist world, researchers are objective and strive to minimize sources of bias wherever they can (Alexander, 2014). Positivism is the mirror I use to have a view of the world, in this paradigm, the researcher is concerned with gaining knowledge objectively using scientific methods of enquiry. This methods include surveys and experiments where quantitative data collection is the norm (Alexander, 2014).

Ontological assumption (nature of reality) of this paradigm is that nature has tangible objects that can be viewed, measured, fixed and real (Manian, Jamporazmey & Sherkat, 2014).These realities and objectives can be used to test hypothesis in the pursuit of knowledge and explain happenings.

Positivism epistemology assumes that only facts, derived from scientific methods can make legitimate knowledge claims (Dalal & Priya, 2016). My worldview aligns well with this school of thought since human beings are bound to have an element of bias (whether conscious or unconscious) and emotions during research.

References

Alexander, J. C. (2014). Positivism, Presupposition and Current Controversies (Theoretical Logic in Sociology). Routledge.

Dalal, A. K., & Priya, K. R. (2016). Introduction to qualitative research. Qualitative Research on Illness, Wellbeing and Self-Growth: Contemporary Indian Perspectives.

Manian, A., Jamporazmey, M., & Sherkat, M. H. (2014). Positivism in information systems: investigating paradox between theory and practice in IS researches. International Journal of Business Information Systems, 16(1), 72-88.