RSE4801
ASSIGNMENT 5 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 3 NOVEMBER 2025
, Research in Education
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2
2. Understanding Philosophical Assumptions in Research ................................... 2
2.1 Ontology ............................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Epistemology .................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Axiology............................................................................................................. 3
3. Major Research Paradigms and Worldviews ....................................................... 3
3.1 Positivism .......................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Interpretivism .................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Critical Theory ................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Pragmatism ....................................................................................................... 5
4. Relationship Between Philosophy and Methodological Choices ...................... 5
4.1 Quantitative Research and Positivism ............................................................ 5
4.2 Qualitative Research and Interpretivism ........................................................ 6
4.3 Mixed Methods and Pragmatism ..................................................................... 6
5. The Interplay Between Research Aims, Ontology, Epistemology, and
Methodology ............................................................................................................... 7
6. Practical Examples in the South African Context ............................................... 8
7. Challenges in Aligning Philosophical Assumptions with Methodological
Choices ....................................................................................................................... 8
8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 9
9. References ............................................................................................................ 10
ASSIGNMENT 5 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 3 NOVEMBER 2025
, Research in Education
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2
2. Understanding Philosophical Assumptions in Research ................................... 2
2.1 Ontology ............................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Epistemology .................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Axiology............................................................................................................. 3
3. Major Research Paradigms and Worldviews ....................................................... 3
3.1 Positivism .......................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Interpretivism .................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Critical Theory ................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Pragmatism ....................................................................................................... 5
4. Relationship Between Philosophy and Methodological Choices ...................... 5
4.1 Quantitative Research and Positivism ............................................................ 5
4.2 Qualitative Research and Interpretivism ........................................................ 6
4.3 Mixed Methods and Pragmatism ..................................................................... 6
5. The Interplay Between Research Aims, Ontology, Epistemology, and
Methodology ............................................................................................................... 7
6. Practical Examples in the South African Context ............................................... 8
7. Challenges in Aligning Philosophical Assumptions with Methodological
Choices ....................................................................................................................... 8
8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 9
9. References ............................................................................................................ 10
