RSE4801
Assignment 3
Open date: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 Due date:
Due: Thursday, 07 August 2025
N. B PARAPHRASE YOUR WORK TO AVOID PLAGARISM (CHANGE WORDS)
Assignment: RSE4801 - Research in Education
Title: Exploring the Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions of
Key Educational Research Paradigms
Introduction
In educational research, philosophical assumptions serve as the foundation
for every study, directing the learning process and method of knowledge
acquisition. Ontology and epistemology are two of the most essential
assumptions because they influence how scholars understand what they
believe about reality and what they claim to know. Ontology is the nature of
reality, or what can be said to exist, whereas epistemology is the nature of
knowledge and the methods of acquiring and comprehending it. Such
, philosophical positions influence not just the study questions and techniques,
but also the findings and outcomes of educational research.
This essay offers a critical reflection on six fundamental research paradigms,
as understood in their ontological and epistemological suppositions: positivism,
interpretivism, critical theory, postmodernism, critical realism, and
decoloniality. The essay illustrates in great depth the distinctions and
similarities between the two paradigms, demonstrating how the notion of
reality and what constitutes knowledge shapes how each paradigm conducts
educational research. Finally, the essay presents a debate over the paradigm
that is most important in educational practice and research.
1. Positivism
Ontological Assumptions:
Positivism anchors itself on a realist ontology. It keeps up the construct of the
reality is objective, single and independent of human perception. This
paradigm works on the assumption that the world is dependent on universal
laws which could be established through systematic inquiry.
Epistemological Assumptions:
Positivism Epistemology Positivism has an epistemology based on empiricism
and logical thought. Any fact that cannot be tested, measured and observed
through scientific means is not taken as valid knowledge. Positivist
researchers seek to be neutral and objective and in most cases use
quantitative approach in finding trends and proving hypothesis.
Educational Example:
An example of a positivist educational study can be the analysis of results in a
test to determine whether an experiment using a new teaching strategy has
been effective. The researcher is objective, gathers numerical information and
concludes by carrying out statistic research.
2. Interpretivism
Ontological Assumptions:
Interpretivism is an opposite of positivism with its relativist ontology. It
perceives reality as socially and culturally constructed which implies that there
exist altogether different realities grounded on experiences and varied
perceptions.
Epistemological Assumptions:
Assignment 3
Open date: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 Due date:
Due: Thursday, 07 August 2025
N. B PARAPHRASE YOUR WORK TO AVOID PLAGARISM (CHANGE WORDS)
Assignment: RSE4801 - Research in Education
Title: Exploring the Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions of
Key Educational Research Paradigms
Introduction
In educational research, philosophical assumptions serve as the foundation
for every study, directing the learning process and method of knowledge
acquisition. Ontology and epistemology are two of the most essential
assumptions because they influence how scholars understand what they
believe about reality and what they claim to know. Ontology is the nature of
reality, or what can be said to exist, whereas epistemology is the nature of
knowledge and the methods of acquiring and comprehending it. Such
, philosophical positions influence not just the study questions and techniques,
but also the findings and outcomes of educational research.
This essay offers a critical reflection on six fundamental research paradigms,
as understood in their ontological and epistemological suppositions: positivism,
interpretivism, critical theory, postmodernism, critical realism, and
decoloniality. The essay illustrates in great depth the distinctions and
similarities between the two paradigms, demonstrating how the notion of
reality and what constitutes knowledge shapes how each paradigm conducts
educational research. Finally, the essay presents a debate over the paradigm
that is most important in educational practice and research.
1. Positivism
Ontological Assumptions:
Positivism anchors itself on a realist ontology. It keeps up the construct of the
reality is objective, single and independent of human perception. This
paradigm works on the assumption that the world is dependent on universal
laws which could be established through systematic inquiry.
Epistemological Assumptions:
Positivism Epistemology Positivism has an epistemology based on empiricism
and logical thought. Any fact that cannot be tested, measured and observed
through scientific means is not taken as valid knowledge. Positivist
researchers seek to be neutral and objective and in most cases use
quantitative approach in finding trends and proving hypothesis.
Educational Example:
An example of a positivist educational study can be the analysis of results in a
test to determine whether an experiment using a new teaching strategy has
been effective. The researcher is objective, gathers numerical information and
concludes by carrying out statistic research.
2. Interpretivism
Ontological Assumptions:
Interpretivism is an opposite of positivism with its relativist ontology. It
perceives reality as socially and culturally constructed which implies that there
exist altogether different realities grounded on experiences and varied
perceptions.
Epistemological Assumptions:
