HED4802 Assignment 2 (DETAILED ANSWERS) 2026 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

RSE4801
Assignment 3 2025
Unique #:

Due Date: 7 August 2025

Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.

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, COMPARING ONTOLOGICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF
RESEARCH PARADIGMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS


1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 4
2. POSITIVISM ........................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................... 5
2.2 Epistemological Assumptions ........................................................................... 5
2.3 Methodological Implications .............................................................................. 5
2.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................... 6
3. INTERPRETIVISM ................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................... 6
3.2 Epistemological Assumptions ........................................................................... 7
3.3 Methodological Implications .............................................................................. 7
3.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................... 8
4. CRITICAL THEORY ............................................................................................... 8
4.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................... 8
4.2 Epistemological Assumptions ........................................................................... 9
4.3 Methodological Implications .............................................................................. 9
4.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................. 10
5. POSTMODERNISM ............................................................................................. 10
5.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................. 10
5.2 Epistemological Assumptions ......................................................................... 11
5.3 Methodological Implications ............................................................................ 11
5.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................. 12
6: CRITICAL REALISM ............................................................................................ 12
6.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................. 12
6.2 Epistemological Assumptions ......................................................................... 13
6.3 Methodological Implications ............................................................................ 13
6.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................. 13
7. DECOLONIALITY................................................................................................. 14
7.1 Ontological Assumptions................................................................................. 14
7.2 Epistemological Assumptions ......................................................................... 15
7.3 Methodological Implications ............................................................................ 15



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