NEU FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PHILOSOPH-Y (IES) OF MODERN RESEARCH

PREPARED FOR: ME 501 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODS COURSE.

PREPARED BY: Osude Benedict

JUNE 1, 2011.
Abstract.

There are three reasons why the exploration of philosophy may be significant with particular
reference to modern research methodology.

 Firstly, it can helps the researcher to refine and specify the modern research methods to
be used in a study, that is, to clarify the overall research strategy to be used; which
includes the type of evidence gathered and its origin, the way in which such evidence is
interpreted, and how it helps to answer the research questions posed.
 Secondly, knowledge of modern research philosophy will enable the researcher to
evaluate different methodologies, methods and avoid inappropriate use and unnecessary
work by identifying the limitations of particular approaches at an early stage.
 Thirdly, it may help the researcher to be creative and innovative in either selection or
adaptation of methods that were previously outside his or her experience.

Therefore, this term paper seeks to provide a basis for the descriptive analysis of the philosophies
of modern research methodology and the quantitative-qualitative approaches that make up these
schools of thought.

It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each of these approaches. The
descriptive analysis that will be used in this paper will be used both as an introduction to the
philosophy of modern research and a sound basis from which to discuss the quantitative-
qualitative approach.

Introduction

An appropriate starting point would be to discuss the two approaches on which the philosophy of
modern research is based; qualitative and quantitative approach.

Early forms of research was originated in the natural sciences and was concerned with
investigating things which we could observe and measure in some way. Such observations and
measurements can be made objectively and repeated by other researchers. This process is known
as quantitative research.
Much later, along came other researchers that were working in a branch of social sciences that
were interested in studying human behavior and social world inhabited by human beings. They
found increasing difficulty in trying to explain human behavior in simple measurable terms.
Measurements often tell us how many people behave in a certain way but they do not give an
adequate answer why? Therefore the research that attempts to elaborate on why things are the
way they are in our social environment and why people act the ways they do is qualitative
research.

For the duration of this term paper we will start by stating and describing the major philosophies
of modern research by providing a descriptive analysis of these philosophies then we will move
on to providing a sound basis from which to discuss the quantitative-qualitative approach in
relation to these modern research philosophies. We will then explore the reasons for studying
philosophical issues in general and then more specifically in relation to research methodology.
The philosophies of modern research are explored using the literature drawn from a variety of
disciplines and sources to identify the components and elements that make up the philosophy.

Methods

My search for information’s on the topic for this term paper was done mostly with reference to
encyclopedia and published texts. Internet-based information’s was also utilized to get a general
understanding of the subject but keeping in mind that the web is an open source and every piece
of information there isn’t necessarily true, I weighed the information from the web against the
ones published in a text. Then, I made my own assessment after a thorough understanding of the
subject.

Results

A research philosophy is a belief in the way in which information about a phenomenon should be
gathered, analyzed and used. What is known to be true (Epistemology) as opposed to what is
believed to be true (doxology) encompasses the various philosophies of research approach. The
purpose of science therefore has always been to transform things believed into things known and
there are two (2) major modern research philosophies of science; positivist (scientific) and post-
positivist (interpretive).
Positivists confine themselves to the set of information gotten from experience and they exclude
the set of information gotten from speculations. The basic affirmations of positivism are;

 That all knowledge regarding matters of fact is based on the positive data of experience,
and
 That beyond the realm of fact is that of pure logic and science.

Positivists repudiate speculations regarding the nature of reality that radically goes beyond any
possible evidence that could either support of refute such transcendent knowledge claims.

Post-positivists contend that only through the subjective interpretation and intervention can a
phenomenon be fully understood. The study of a phenomenon in its natural environment is the
key to the post-positivist philosophy, together with the acknowledgement that scientists cannot
avoid affecting those phenomena they study. They believe that human knowledge is based not on
unchallengeable, rock-solid foundations, but rather upon human conjectures. Since human
knowledge is unavoidably conjectural, the assertion of these conjectures is allowed, or more
specifically, justified by a set of authorizations which can be modified or withdrawn in the light
of further investigation. Post-positivism is an amendment to positivism that recognizes critiques
against the idea that observational evidence is indispensable for knowledge. It is not a rejection
of the scientific method, but rather its reformation to meet these critiques. It preserves the basic
assumptions of positivism, the possibility and desirability of objective truth and the use
of experimental methodology.

Discussion

The positivist philosophy of modern research embraces a conception of truth in which verifiable
statements concur with the ascertainable facts of reality. That is truth is not dependent on belief
alone but on belief that can be verified through examination and observation of external reality.
Speculations and assumptions are totally discarded.

The post-positivist philosophy assume that reality is multiple, subjective and mentally
constructed by individuals. Flexible and multiple methods are used to study small samples of a
phenomenon over time which can establish warranted asserts as opposed to the absolute truth. In
other words the researcher interacts with those being researched, and findings are the outcome of
this interactive process with a focus on meaning and understanding the phenomenon under
examination.

In relation to research methodology positivism seems to adopt a clear quantitative approach to

investigating phenomena as opposed to post-positivism approaches, which aim to describe and
explore phenomena from a qualitative perspective. Even though quantitative and qualitative
approaches have a division in opinion they are mostly seen to be used in conjunction with each
other.

References

Hancock, B. (2002). An Introduction to Research Approach: Qualitative and Quantitative

Research. Nottingham: Trend Focus Group.

Frank Crossan MN, BA, DipN, RGN, 'Research Philosophy: Towards an understanding.’ Nurse
Researcher, February, vol. 11, number 1.

Wikipedia: Positivism, viewed 31 May 2011, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/positivism >.

Wikipedia: Post-positivism, viewed 31 May 2011, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpositivism

>.

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Positivism. (2010). Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Ultimate Reference

Suite. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica.