Barriers affecting adult women living with Dementia.
Ontological & Epistemological approach
Jo Smith
Aims:
To explore ‘Ontological’ approach and stance
With consideration of examples
To Consider and explain ‘Epistemology’
Linking with approaches, findings and bias
Finally looking at positivist and anti-positivist approaches
Epistemology:
“Epistemology refers to a theory or philosophy about the nature of knowledge and the stance we take on how we come to know what we know about the world” (Saks and Allsop)
A branch of philosophy considering:
‘What constitutes and does not constitute knowledge?’
Understanding Epistemology:
Considering the levels of reality and where knowledge comes from in the world
Asking questions about how researchers know what they know
Considers the impact the researchers expectations can influence research outcome
Influenced by positivism and realism (Social Constructionism)
Mixed Methods can take from different ideas, but still need to understand decision making and the knowledge base
Paradigms
Paradigm is a framework which comes from a set of beliefs
A paradigm is influenced by the belief or opinion related to:
What should be studies
What method should be used
How data should be interpreted
There is much influence from the positivist or realist stances
Many researchers within qualitative approach will work with ‘subtle realism’ as research reports cannot encapsulate single truth but a representation of social reality
Social Constructionism
In the research environment
Research can only capture a moment in time
This means that in terms of the epistemology the context is important
A researcher must consider the context around the research, which will help with the consideration of the interpretation of the data
Realist Epistemology
To consider both what is factually accurate
Also looking at ways in which bias comes into the research
Research should consider how personal and epistemological approach can influence reality
Consider how research can be influenced by the experience and even mood of participants
Postpositivist worldview: Thinking after positivism / challenging absolute truth of knowledge
| Postpositivism | Constructionism |
| Determination Reductionism Empirical observation and measurement Theory verification | Understanding Multiple participant meanings Social and historical construction Theory generation |
| Advocacy / Participatory | Pragmatism |
| Political Empowerment issues-orientated Collaborative Change-orientated | Consequence of actions Problem-centred Pluralistic Real-world and practice orientated Cresswell (2009) |
Ontology / Ontological position
Nature of reality / existence / What is real?
“Ontology is the study of being, that is, the nature of existence and what constitutes reality. So, for example, for positivists the world is independent of our knowledge of it – it exists ‘out there’ while for relativists and others, there are multiple realities and ways of accessing them” (Gray, 2015)
“Western thought remains divided by two opposing ontological traditions. Heraclitus (c.535–c.475bc)….placed an emphasis on a changing and emergent world (BECOMING). Parmenides (c.515–c.445bc), who succeeded him, placed quite a different emphasis on a permanent and unchanging reality (BEING) ” (Gray, 2015)
Ontological Approach
Ontology relates to the stance / Belief of the researcher
It is influenced by the ideology of the researcher
Ontological approach usually refers to the way in which experience and culture influence researchers and their research
Ontology can be linked to ways of seeing power and trying to empower those involved
Political approach and belief, e.g. To create changes in social justice / based upon gender
Ontology?
Feminist Ontology:
Based upon gender
Feminist questions western knowledge base upon patriarchy
Ontology of a minority:
Ontology could be around the experiences of a minority group:
E.G. around ethnicity / mental health / disability
Ontology Approach:
Questions assumptions around knowledge
Social Construction of knowledge is examined
In terms of thinking about ways in which we make sense of the world
In Pairs:
Consider factors which influence the opinions of respondents
Positivist Ontology (Quantitative)
Realism
“The ‘Truth’ is objective, static and measurable
Context-free generalizations
Cause and effect laws.
Research that converges on ‘the truth’
Reductionist and deterministic approaches
Positivism
Epistemology. Dualist and objective.
Methodology. Experimental
Ontology. Realism: One reality exists that can be found
Constructivism or Relativism (Qualitative)
Relativism
Searching for meaning rather than truth
‘Truths’ are subjective, dynamic and contextual
Multiple truths that may conflict but are still true.
Perceptions or truths that may change with time
Constructivism
Epistemology. Interactive/ transactional and subjective
Methodology. Qualitative, interpretative
Ontology. Relativism. Realities are co-constructed
Summary of positivist and phenomenological paradigms
| Positivist paradigm | Phenomenological paradigm | |
| Basic beliefs | The world is external and objective. The observer is independent. Science is value-free. | The world is socially constructed and subjective. The observer is a party to what is being observed. Science is driven by human interests. |
| The researcher should | Focus on facts Locate causality between variables Formulate and test hypotheses (deductive approach) | Focus on meanings Try to understand what is happening Construct theories and models from the data (inductive approach) |
| Methods include | Operationalizing concepts so that they can be measured Using large samples from which to generalize to the population Quantitative methods | Using multiple methods to establish different views of a phenomenon Using small samples researched in depth or over time Qualitative methods Adapted from Easterby-Smith et al., 2002 |
In Summary…….
Epistemology and Ontology are important in terms of the approach the researcher takes
Epistemology is related to knowledge creation and takes ideas from philosophy
Ontology is the ‘stance’ influenced by your own experiences and the subject under discussion
Ontology will be influenced by positivist or anti-positivist