Research paradigms are one of the least discussed and most neglected areas of research. It shapes the rest of your research, how you perceive the world, how you perceive sources of information, what you decide you need to know, and how you will attempt to find those things out.
If you’re writing a thesis, dissertation, or another long research project, you must understand your research paradigms if you want your research to be credible and accessible to your audience. But just what is a research paradigm, and why does it matter so much?
What Is a Research Paradigm?
Research paradigm: As the name suggests, a research paradigm is a set of beliefs and practices that guide the conduct of research. It includes:
Ontology: What is reality?
Epistemology: What is knowledge, and how do we acquire it?
Method: How do we discover new things?
All of these will contribute to the lens through which you view the subject. However, the research paradigm is your philosophy of how you view the world and the nature of research.
Why Does an Analytic Framework Matter?
It’s not just an academic term. Your Paradigm Matters for Research: Your research paradigm shapes:
- The type of questions you ask
- How you collect data
- What they tell you vs. what you think they’re saying
For instance, if you consider truth to be relative, based on the subjective experiences of individuals, then you might opt for interviews rather than surveys. On the other hand, if you subscribe to an objective reality, you’re likely to favor statistical analysis and quantitative methods.
Understanding the framework that underlies your study can contribute to the validity and reliability of your work. Even if you feel your writing is bogged down or unsure of how to implement the correct paradigm in your work, don’t hesitate to ask experts for guidance. Most students need the help of professional guidance through an assignment writing service in UK who know what’s required to develop a research methodology.
Types of Research Paradigms
Now, let’s take a look at the four primary research paradigms:
1. Positivism
Ontology: Objectivity is real and researcher-independent.
Epistemology: We learn through observation and measurement.
Methods: quantitative; experiments, surveys, and statistical analysis.
When to use: Applicable for research with hypotheses mean, measurable data, and generalizable results.
2. Interpretivism
Ontology: There is no absolute reality; reality is relative and depends on how people perceive it.
Epistemology: Knowledge is built through understanding people’s views.
Method: Qualitative interview, focus group, and case study.
When to use it: Ideal for probing thoughts, feelings, and social meanings.
3. Critical Theory
Ontology: Reality is socially, politically, culturally, and gendered constructed.
Epistemology: Knowledge is not neutral; power relations shape it.
Methods: Qualitative , often participatory research and action-oriented studies.
When to use it: Appropriate for research intended to disrupt inequalities and promote change.
4. Pragmatism
Ontology/Epistemology: Reality and knowing are defined by pragmatic results.
When to use it: Ideal for addressing real-world problems with heterogeneous data sources.
Selecting the Appropriate Paradigm for Your Study
Your choice of paradigm (style, form) should be based on:
- Your research question
- Your philosophical beliefs
- The problem’s characteristic which you are studying
If you’re not sure, consider these questions:
- Do you believe in the truth or truths?
- Are you looking for statistical trends or profound insights?
- Will your research spur social change or address a practical problem?
There is no “one-size-fits-all” response. Your decision must be consistent with your aims and fully rationalized in your methods section.
The Academic Success and Research Paradigms
One of the most common mistakes students make is to begin data collection without establishing their study within a solid paradigm. This often leads to:
- Inconsistencies in the methodology
- Confusing research design
- Weakened credibility
You demonstrate academic maturity when you present your paradigm upfront. You indicate that your work is not a haphazard mishmash of ideas but a conceptually ordered investigation grounded in solid philosophical principles.
Universities are now expecting this clarity in postgraduate dissertations and doctoral theses. It’s not about the data; it’s about demonstrating that you have applied thought and critical inquiry.
How to Include Your Paradigm in a Research Paper
In your research paper or proposal, you should:
- Add your paradigm in the Methods section.
- What is your ontological and epistemological position?
- Justify your choice in terms of your research goal.
Be consistent across your paradigm, questions, and methods.
Example:
The current research is based on an interpretive paradigm and assumes a constructionist position in understanding reality as a social construct (Marks & Yardley, 2004). Therefore, qualitative interviews were conducted to delve into the lived experiences of those taking part.”
Final Thoughts
A research paradigm is not simply an academic or intellectual exercise you live and breathe the paradigm on which you base your study. Whether you are doing quantitative analysis or qualitative interviews, a little of both, or any other subset of the broad universe of social science methods, sure, it’s about “answers” and “data” and “methodology,” but it’s also about grounding your work in a clear understanding of what you are doing and why, how you do it, transparently and convincingly.
Knowing what a research paradigm is and making the right selection will make the difference between good research and truly excellent research.
