RSE4801
Assignment 5
Due 3 November 2025
,RSE4801
Assignment 5
Due 3 November 2025
Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
2. Philosophical Assumptions in Research ...................................................................... 5
2.1 Ontology: Understanding Reality ........................................................................... 5
2.2 Epistemology: The Nature and Source of Knowledge ........................................... 6
2.3 Axiology: The Role of Values ................................................................................. 6
2.4 Research Paradigms and Their Philosophical Foundations................................... 7
2.5 Interconnection of Philosophical Assumptions ....................................................... 7
3. Research Methodology and Methods .......................................................................... 9
3.1 Distinguishing Methodology from Methods ............................................................ 9
3.2 Methodological Approaches and Philosophical Alignment ..................................... 9
3.3 The Role of Methodological Coherence ............................................................... 11
3.4 Reflexivity and Researcher Positioning ............................................................... 12
3.5 Methodological Rigor and Adaptability ................................................................. 12
4. The Relationship Between Philosophical Assumptions and Methodology ................. 13
4.1 The Philosophical Roots of Methodological Choice ............................................. 13
4.2 Ontological and Epistemological Alignment ......................................................... 14
4.3 Coherence and Credibility in Research Design ................................................... 14
, 4.4 The Reciprocal Nature of Philosophy and Methodology ...................................... 15
4.5 The Consequences of Misalignment .................................................................... 16
5. Implications of Methodological Choices on Research Outcomes .............................. 17
5.1 Shaping the Nature and Scope of Findings ......................................................... 17
5.2 Credibility, Validity, and Trustworthiness .............................................................. 18
5.3 Ethical and Political Implications .......................................................................... 18
5.4 Impact on Interpretation and Knowledge Construction ........................................ 19
5.5 Methodological Influence on Generalizability and Applicability ............................ 19
5.6 Methodology and the Evolution of Knowledge ..................................................... 20
6. Critiques and Alternative Perspectives ...................................................................... 21
6.1 The Critique of Paradigm Rigidity ........................................................................ 21
6.2 Pragmatism and Methodological Flexibility .......................................................... 21
6.3 Critical and Postmodern Perspectives ................................................................. 22
6.4 Methodological Pluralism and Integration ............................................................ 23
6.5 Reflexivity as a Bridge Between Philosophy and Practice ................................... 23
6.6 The Continuing Debate: Coherence versus Creativity ......................................... 24
7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 25
8. References ................................................................................................................ 26
Assignment 5
Due 3 November 2025
,RSE4801
Assignment 5
Due 3 November 2025
Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
2. Philosophical Assumptions in Research ...................................................................... 5
2.1 Ontology: Understanding Reality ........................................................................... 5
2.2 Epistemology: The Nature and Source of Knowledge ........................................... 6
2.3 Axiology: The Role of Values ................................................................................. 6
2.4 Research Paradigms and Their Philosophical Foundations................................... 7
2.5 Interconnection of Philosophical Assumptions ....................................................... 7
3. Research Methodology and Methods .......................................................................... 9
3.1 Distinguishing Methodology from Methods ............................................................ 9
3.2 Methodological Approaches and Philosophical Alignment ..................................... 9
3.3 The Role of Methodological Coherence ............................................................... 11
3.4 Reflexivity and Researcher Positioning ............................................................... 12
3.5 Methodological Rigor and Adaptability ................................................................. 12
4. The Relationship Between Philosophical Assumptions and Methodology ................. 13
4.1 The Philosophical Roots of Methodological Choice ............................................. 13
4.2 Ontological and Epistemological Alignment ......................................................... 14
4.3 Coherence and Credibility in Research Design ................................................... 14
, 4.4 The Reciprocal Nature of Philosophy and Methodology ...................................... 15
4.5 The Consequences of Misalignment .................................................................... 16
5. Implications of Methodological Choices on Research Outcomes .............................. 17
5.1 Shaping the Nature and Scope of Findings ......................................................... 17
5.2 Credibility, Validity, and Trustworthiness .............................................................. 18
5.3 Ethical and Political Implications .......................................................................... 18
5.4 Impact on Interpretation and Knowledge Construction ........................................ 19
5.5 Methodological Influence on Generalizability and Applicability ............................ 19
5.6 Methodology and the Evolution of Knowledge ..................................................... 20
6. Critiques and Alternative Perspectives ...................................................................... 21
6.1 The Critique of Paradigm Rigidity ........................................................................ 21
6.2 Pragmatism and Methodological Flexibility .......................................................... 21
6.3 Critical and Postmodern Perspectives ................................................................. 22
6.4 Methodological Pluralism and Integration ............................................................ 23
6.5 Reflexivity as a Bridge Between Philosophy and Practice ................................... 23
6.6 The Continuing Debate: Coherence versus Creativity ......................................... 24
7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 25
8. References ................................................................................................................ 26
