This chapter aims to provide a simple but a complete idea about the difficult concepts in the research field. Research paradigm is a concept which is difficult for new researchers to understand and memorize. This chapter covers the key concepts in the research paradigm: ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Researchers can understand these concept and decide the best paradigm to investigate different phenomena. To make these difficult concepts simple, this chapter has been organized with brief explanations and graphs.
TopResearch Paradigm
A new researcher who is curious about social problems thinks about giving solutions through conducting research. There is a novel and fresh idea like a seed to grow. This curious researcher, like a planter, needs to find appropriate soil and fertilizer to grow this seed and this process is like selecting a research paradigm for the study.
There is no one method to plant your seeds, but there are several methods. Like that, a researcher can see the problem from different angles. These different viewpoints we can see as research paradigms. So, once you have a research idea, you should think what the best way to grow the idea and get a solution for the research question. It is like finding a proper ground to plant your seeds. If you select the wrong place, you will not get the expected crop. Same as a plant if you do not select the correct respondents your findings may not be valuable.
In the field of research, the research paradigm is called the way you understand the reality of the world. A paradigm is based on assumptions about 1) ontology, 2) epistemology, 3) and methods (Figure 1). These elements can be identified as the foundation of research and it is very important to have a clear understanding to make a systematic study successful. Paradigm contains important assumptions about the way the researcher sees the world. The research approach, strategy, and methodology are part of this assumption and are based on the selection of the researcher (Saunders, et al., 2012). Therefore, this chapter focuses on discussing this belief system in detail.
Ontology
Everyone wears their glasses when they see the world. People make different assumptions about reality based on their experiences and assumptions. Same as that, ontology can be identified as the nature of our belief about reality (Saunders, et al., 2012). Before starting the study researchers have some assumptions about reality and how it exists. E.g., Is everything and everyone temporary? So, the answer is yes, everything temporary, or no, they are not. Whatever your answer, it is based on your experiences and assumptions. It explains the way you see the world.
Accordingly, the researcher also has some assumptions about a different phenomena such as world hunger, poverty, gender issues, company performances etc. Accordingly ontology concern the nature of social realities (Bryman & Bell, 2011). While some researchers believe there should be only one reality which can be generalized to everyone (a single verified reality), other researchers may believe in the existence of multiple realities (socially constructed multiple realities). According to these assumptions, ontology can be identified in two streams objectivism and subjectivism (Figure 2).