Science, from the Latin "scientia", means knowledge. Furthermore science represents a social subsystem, which aims the production of intelligence and knowledge. This system uses observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena, through a process called scientific research. This process bases on searching and processing information, according to established procedures and aims fundamentally to contribute to generation and evolution of human knowledge in all sectors. Research will be called scientific if its realization is subject of a planned investigation, whose development is drafted according to methodological standards, as required by science.
Similarly, management research also focuses on knowledge production. It intends ...read more
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Research Paradigms and Philosophical Foundations
2.1 Positivist Paradigm
2.2 Interpretativist-Constructivist Paradigm
3. Integration and Methodological Approaches in Healthcare Research
3.1 Qualitative Methodology
3.2 Quantitative Methodology
3.3 Mixed Methods and Triangulation
Objectives and Research Themes
This work aims to examine how research design within the healthcare sector is influenced by underlying philosophical paradigms and practical constraints. It explores the relationship between research questions, epistemological assumptions, and the selection of appropriate methodologies to enhance the reliability and validity of scientific studies.
- Analysis of the influence of research paradigms (positivism vs. constructivism) on study design.
- Evaluation of key practical factors: funding, time frames, research question, and researcher competence.
- Comparison of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in healthcare contexts.
- Exploration of mixed methods and the principle of triangulation to improve research rigor.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
Science, from the Latin "scientia", means knowledge. Furthermore science represents a social subsystem, which aims the production of intelligence and knowledge. This system uses observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena, through a process called scientific research. This process bases on searching and processing information, according to established procedures and aims fundamentally to contribute to generation and evolution of human knowledge in all sectors. Research will be called scientific if its realization is subject of a planned investigation, whose development is drafted according to methodological standards, as required by science.
Similarly, management research also focuses on knowledge production. It intends to analyze different situations or problems in the turbulent business environment of an organization, and propose new strategies and/or solutions for determined work or procedure methodology that will improve corporate efficiency and effectiveness.
The first step in scientific research is to identify a research problem or the area of interest to be studied, but also to considerate the feasibility of the research plan and whether it can be performed systematically.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines scientific research as a systematic process of knowledge production and introduces the core factors influencing research design in both management and science.
2. Research Paradigms and Philosophical Foundations: This chapter contrasts the positivist and interpretativist-constructivist paradigms, explaining how different epistemological views shape the researcher's relationship with reality and the chosen methods.
3. Integration and Methodological Approaches in Healthcare Research: This chapter details the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods, discusses the trend toward mixed-method approaches, and emphasizes the necessity of maintaining scientific rigor in health promotion research.
Keywords
Research Design, Scientific Research, Positivism, Constructivism, Healthcare Research, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods, Epistemology, Mixed Methods, Triangulation, Validity, Reliability, Health Promotion, Scientific Rigor, Research Paradigms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work examines the relationship between research design and the background assumptions derived from different scientific paradigms within the context of healthcare research.
What are the central themes of the document?
Central themes include the influence of philosophical paradigms on research, the practical constraints on study design, and the methodological differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches.
What is the main objective of the author?
The goal is to demonstrate how researchers can make informed choices regarding their methodology to enhance the validity and reliability of their studies by aligning them with appropriate paradigms.
Which research paradigms are highlighted?
The document focuses on the positivist paradigm and the interpretativist-constructivist (phenomenologist) paradigm.
How is scientific rigor maintained in healthcare research?
According to the text, scientific rigor is maintained by ensuring that the methodology—whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed—is consistently applied from conceptualization to reporting.
What role do practical factors play in research design?
Practical factors such as research focus, available funding, disposable time, and the competence of the researcher directly influence the chosen research design.
Why are quantitative methods considered to have strong external validity?
Quantitative methods are strong in external validity because they typically involve larger samples and numerical measurements, making their results more generalizable to the wider community.
What is the benefit of combining paradigms?
Combining paradigms allows for a wider scope of study, enabling the examination of different facets of a phenomenon and allowing for new perspectives and knowledge to emerge through the overlap.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Gisele L. Borelli-Montigny (Autor:in), 2010, How research design is influenced by the background assumptions based upon different research paradigms, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/153465
