HMPYC 80 –
Research Methodology
Section E – Chapter 24 –
Building a Scientific Base for the Human
Services Professions
, 1. Introduction:
► Research is much more than an exercise for obtaining a qualification or for completing a
project.
► It is the most important basic tool for forging the scientific base of our professions.
2. Defining Science:
► Social science may be viewed as the study of people's behavior, beliefs, interactions and
institutions to acquire knowledge that is objectively obtained and tested through the use of
scientific method.
► The scientific method can be seen as a set of rigorous procedures used in research to
obtain and interpret facts.
► The terms philosophy, ontology, epistemology, axiology, metatheory, methodology, design,
methods and techniques our core constructs in the context of scientific knowledge.
► Philosophy can be seen as the study of general and fundamental questions about
existence, truth, knowledge, objectivity, clarity, values, reason and mind.
- It can also be seen as a worldview or framework that is by nature multidisciplinary,
interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary.
► Ontology is regarded as a philosophical study of the nature of reality and should express a
professional stance in relation to the nature of things and how reality is interpreted, and to
arrive at a better understanding of the world.
► The scientific base of a profession consists largely of knowledge and the execution of
complex tasks performed by skillful application of major principles and concepts as relevant
to the specific profession.
- This can also be seen as the epistemological basis of a profession, referring to the
specific skills, assumptions and knowledge of that specific profession.
► Axiology is the philosophical study of human values that influence our perceptions,
decisions and actions.
► Metatheory is a term referring to the study of theory about another theory that already
exists - this gives professionals the space to critique theories underpinning their practice
and challenges them to develop their own theories that address issues in their specific
professions.
► Methodology can be seen as the principles, procedures and rules according to which
research must be conducted and how practice must be directed – i.e., how a single study is
conducted.
► Scientific knowledge uses a methodology that comprises logical steps to solve a problem in
society.
Research Methodology
Section E – Chapter 24 –
Building a Scientific Base for the Human
Services Professions
, 1. Introduction:
► Research is much more than an exercise for obtaining a qualification or for completing a
project.
► It is the most important basic tool for forging the scientific base of our professions.
2. Defining Science:
► Social science may be viewed as the study of people's behavior, beliefs, interactions and
institutions to acquire knowledge that is objectively obtained and tested through the use of
scientific method.
► The scientific method can be seen as a set of rigorous procedures used in research to
obtain and interpret facts.
► The terms philosophy, ontology, epistemology, axiology, metatheory, methodology, design,
methods and techniques our core constructs in the context of scientific knowledge.
► Philosophy can be seen as the study of general and fundamental questions about
existence, truth, knowledge, objectivity, clarity, values, reason and mind.
- It can also be seen as a worldview or framework that is by nature multidisciplinary,
interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary.
► Ontology is regarded as a philosophical study of the nature of reality and should express a
professional stance in relation to the nature of things and how reality is interpreted, and to
arrive at a better understanding of the world.
► The scientific base of a profession consists largely of knowledge and the execution of
complex tasks performed by skillful application of major principles and concepts as relevant
to the specific profession.
- This can also be seen as the epistemological basis of a profession, referring to the
specific skills, assumptions and knowledge of that specific profession.
► Axiology is the philosophical study of human values that influence our perceptions,
decisions and actions.
► Metatheory is a term referring to the study of theory about another theory that already
exists - this gives professionals the space to critique theories underpinning their practice
and challenges them to develop their own theories that address issues in their specific
professions.
► Methodology can be seen as the principles, procedures and rules according to which
research must be conducted and how practice must be directed – i.e., how a single study is
conducted.
► Scientific knowledge uses a methodology that comprises logical steps to solve a problem in
society.
