, RSE4801 ASSIGNMENT 03
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2026
Question 1
1.1 Definition of a Research Paradigm (3)
A research paradigm is a philosophical worldview or framework that guides how research is
conducted. It represents a set of beliefs and assumptions about reality, knowledge, values
and the methods used to investigate a research problem. A paradigm influences how
researchers formulate research questions, collect data, analyse findings and interpret
results. It therefore provides the foundation upon which the entire research process is built
(Creswell and Creswell, 2023; Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2023).
1.2 Five Specific Aspects of Research Influenced by the Research Paradigm (5)
The research paradigm influences several important aspects of a study.
Firstly, it determines the research problem and research questions, as different paradigms
seek different types of knowledge depending on the nature of the phenomenon being
investigated (Creswell and Creswell, 2023).
Secondly, it influences the research design, guiding whether the study adopts qualitative,
quantitative or mixed-methods approaches (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2023).
Thirdly, the paradigm determines the data collection methods. For example, positivist
studies commonly use questionnaires and experiments, whereas interpretivist studies rely
on interviews, observations and focus groups (Kumar, 2023).
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2026
Question 1
1.1 Definition of a Research Paradigm (3)
A research paradigm is a philosophical worldview or framework that guides how research is
conducted. It represents a set of beliefs and assumptions about reality, knowledge, values
and the methods used to investigate a research problem. A paradigm influences how
researchers formulate research questions, collect data, analyse findings and interpret
results. It therefore provides the foundation upon which the entire research process is built
(Creswell and Creswell, 2023; Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2023).
1.2 Five Specific Aspects of Research Influenced by the Research Paradigm (5)
The research paradigm influences several important aspects of a study.
Firstly, it determines the research problem and research questions, as different paradigms
seek different types of knowledge depending on the nature of the phenomenon being
investigated (Creswell and Creswell, 2023).
Secondly, it influences the research design, guiding whether the study adopts qualitative,
quantitative or mixed-methods approaches (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2023).
Thirdly, the paradigm determines the data collection methods. For example, positivist
studies commonly use questionnaires and experiments, whereas interpretivist studies rely
on interviews, observations and focus groups (Kumar, 2023).
