Chapter 1
1. The study of how knowledge, reality and our existence as human beings evoke questions
about who we are, what we know and how we experience the world around us is known as ...
1) ontology.
2) paradigm.
3) philosophy.
4) epistemology.
The correct answer is option 3: philosophy, as indicated in the textbook on page 4. Philosophy is the
study of how knowledge, reality and our existence as human beings evoke questions about who we
are, what we know and how we experience the world around us.
Ontology refers to the construction of a meaningful reality. It is the philosophical study of the nature
of reality, i.e. the very nature of things. The ontological dimension of social research refers to the
researcher’s views on the nature of reality. Important question we should ask then is: How do I see
social reality? The answer lies in basic ontological perceptions of objectivism, interpretivism or
pragmatism.
Epistemology is widely understood as the study of knowledge (Sorensen, 2017). Epistemology is
defined as the study of knowledge of reality. Epistemological frameworks can be placed on a
continuum from positivism to postpositivism to constructivism (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 9)
Philosophies are underpinned by a particular paradigm. However, the concept of a paradigm is
somewhat contested and is described in many different ways by various authors and in different
contexts. Thomas Kuhn defined a paradigm in sociology, philosophy and the sciences as "denoting a
certain way of doing something; an example or pattern that establishes a 'disciplinary matrix [or] the
practices that define a scientific discipline at a certain point in time' (Kuhn, 1970, p. 182). For the
purposes of this context, we will define a paradigm as a construct that represents an archetype of
how professions achieve what they set out to do at a particular point in time. As such, a paradigm
prescribes what is acceptable within a community of practice or profession (Bertram & Christensen,
2019). "Inherent to the description of a paradigm, however, is that it is likely to change when the
members of a community of practitioners within a particular profession deem it fit to change, and
this (in Kuhnian terms) constitutes a paradigm shift." (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 5).
"It is important to note, however, that terminology is not used consistently by authors across the
literature and can be quite disorientating for even the most experienced researchers. Several
researchers and scholars in the field advise us not to get caught up in the concepts, as much as the
meanings at different conceptual levels. All these terms represent distinct hierarchical levels of
decision making within the research process. A researcher will hold certain views – personally and
professionally – about the world and evidence within that might develop from religious, indigenous,
feminist, socialist or capitalist beliefs and values." (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 6).
2. This underpins philosophies and denotes a certain way of doing something; it is an example
or pattern that establishes a “disciplinary matrix [or] the practices that define a scientific
, discipline at a certain point in time”; it is a construct that represents an archetype of how
professions achieve what they set out to do at a particular point in time; and prescribes what
is acceptable within a community of practice or profession.
1) Ontology.
2) Paradigm.
3) Epistemology.
4) Philosophy.
The correct answer is option 2: paradigm (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 5). The above terms are more fully
discussed in the answer to the question 1.
3. The issue or question of how a researcher views "social reality" refers to the … dimension of
social research.
1) objectivist.
2) ontological.
3) theoretical.
4) epistemological.
The correct answer is option 2: ontological (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 7). Refer to the discussion of
question 1.
4. Which one of the options below applies to this statement? This epistemology asserts that the
methods and procedures of the natural sciences are entirely appropriate to the social sciences.
This is informed by the ontological position of objectivism: that reality is out there to be
studied, captured and understood. Research therefore needs to be conducted from a detached,
neutral, value-free and non-interactive position. Researchers therefore only need to follow a
systematic, prescribed series of steps to gather and analyse data.
1) postpositivism.
2) constructivism.
3) pragmatism.
4) positivism.
The correct answer is option 4: positivism (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 9).
5. Select the correct terms to complete the following sentences. It is stated in the textbook that:
1. The study of how knowledge, reality and our existence as human beings evoke questions
about who we are, what we know and how we experience the world around us is known as ...
1) ontology.
2) paradigm.
3) philosophy.
4) epistemology.
The correct answer is option 3: philosophy, as indicated in the textbook on page 4. Philosophy is the
study of how knowledge, reality and our existence as human beings evoke questions about who we
are, what we know and how we experience the world around us.
Ontology refers to the construction of a meaningful reality. It is the philosophical study of the nature
of reality, i.e. the very nature of things. The ontological dimension of social research refers to the
researcher’s views on the nature of reality. Important question we should ask then is: How do I see
social reality? The answer lies in basic ontological perceptions of objectivism, interpretivism or
pragmatism.
Epistemology is widely understood as the study of knowledge (Sorensen, 2017). Epistemology is
defined as the study of knowledge of reality. Epistemological frameworks can be placed on a
continuum from positivism to postpositivism to constructivism (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 9)
Philosophies are underpinned by a particular paradigm. However, the concept of a paradigm is
somewhat contested and is described in many different ways by various authors and in different
contexts. Thomas Kuhn defined a paradigm in sociology, philosophy and the sciences as "denoting a
certain way of doing something; an example or pattern that establishes a 'disciplinary matrix [or] the
practices that define a scientific discipline at a certain point in time' (Kuhn, 1970, p. 182). For the
purposes of this context, we will define a paradigm as a construct that represents an archetype of
how professions achieve what they set out to do at a particular point in time. As such, a paradigm
prescribes what is acceptable within a community of practice or profession (Bertram & Christensen,
2019). "Inherent to the description of a paradigm, however, is that it is likely to change when the
members of a community of practitioners within a particular profession deem it fit to change, and
this (in Kuhnian terms) constitutes a paradigm shift." (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 5).
"It is important to note, however, that terminology is not used consistently by authors across the
literature and can be quite disorientating for even the most experienced researchers. Several
researchers and scholars in the field advise us not to get caught up in the concepts, as much as the
meanings at different conceptual levels. All these terms represent distinct hierarchical levels of
decision making within the research process. A researcher will hold certain views – personally and
professionally – about the world and evidence within that might develop from religious, indigenous,
feminist, socialist or capitalist beliefs and values." (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 6).
2. This underpins philosophies and denotes a certain way of doing something; it is an example
or pattern that establishes a “disciplinary matrix [or] the practices that define a scientific
, discipline at a certain point in time”; it is a construct that represents an archetype of how
professions achieve what they set out to do at a particular point in time; and prescribes what
is acceptable within a community of practice or profession.
1) Ontology.
2) Paradigm.
3) Epistemology.
4) Philosophy.
The correct answer is option 2: paradigm (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 5). The above terms are more fully
discussed in the answer to the question 1.
3. The issue or question of how a researcher views "social reality" refers to the … dimension of
social research.
1) objectivist.
2) ontological.
3) theoretical.
4) epistemological.
The correct answer is option 2: ontological (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 7). Refer to the discussion of
question 1.
4. Which one of the options below applies to this statement? This epistemology asserts that the
methods and procedures of the natural sciences are entirely appropriate to the social sciences.
This is informed by the ontological position of objectivism: that reality is out there to be
studied, captured and understood. Research therefore needs to be conducted from a detached,
neutral, value-free and non-interactive position. Researchers therefore only need to follow a
systematic, prescribed series of steps to gather and analyse data.
1) postpositivism.
2) constructivism.
3) pragmatism.
4) positivism.
The correct answer is option 4: positivism (Fouché et al., 2021, p. 9).
5. Select the correct terms to complete the following sentences. It is stated in the textbook that:
