RSE4801
Assignment 3 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: 7 August 2025
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
Terms of use
4.1 Ontological Assumptions...................................................................................
By making use of this document 8you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
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 .................................................................................. 11
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
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
7.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................. 16
8. CONCLUSION AND PARADIGM EVALUATION ................................................. 16
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 17
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 3 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: 7 August 2025
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
Terms of use
4.1 Ontological Assumptions...................................................................................
By making use of this document 8you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
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 .................................................................................. 11
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
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
7.4 Relevance to Education .................................................................................. 16
8. CONCLUSION AND PARADIGM EVALUATION ................................................. 16
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 17
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
