LESSON 62- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY || SECTION 3.2: RESEARCH PARADIGM

LESSON 62- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY || SECTION 3.2: RESEARCH PARADIGM

🎙 Prof. Lydia Wambugu 👥 29K 📅 October 26, 2021 ⏱ 13 min 👁 8K 📄 tutorial 🧭 2026-08-17
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

paradigmontologyepistemologymethodologysocial science

Summary

This lesson, part of a research methodology course, focuses on Section 3.2 of a research proposal: the research paradigm. The instructor, Prof. Lydia Wambugu, begins by defining a paradigm as a set of beliefs or philosophical assumptions that guide research. She explains that paradigms provide focus and direction by specifying what to study, how to formulate hypotheses, and how to choose research techniques. The lesson covers the three basic philosophical questions: ontological (nature of reality), epistemological (nature of knowledge), and methodological (how to acquire knowledge). It then discusses the three main paradigms in social science research: positivism, interpretivism/constructivism, and pragmatism, highlighting their beliefs about reality, knowledge, and methods. Finally, the instructor outlines the requirements for writing Section 3.2, including stating the proposed paradigm, defining its basic considerations, mentioning other studies using it, and explaining how it shapes the researcher’s study. The lesson is a concise review intended to guide students in writing this section of their research proposal.

158 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides a clear and structured explanation of research paradigms, which is valuable for students learning research methodology. The argumentation is logical, moving from the definition of a paradigm to its philosophical underpinnings and practical application. The instructor effectively connects the concepts to the writing of a research proposal, making the information directly applicable. However, the video does not delve deeply into each paradigm, and the discussion is somewhat general. The value lies in its pedagogical clarity and organization, but it lacks critical analysis or comparison of paradigms beyond a basic summary.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate: the content is accurate and consistent with standard research methodology literature, but the video does not cite specific academic sources. The instructor mentions a book and a website, but no direct references to scholarly works are provided. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video is well-structured. The absence of explicit citations reduces the overall rigor, but the information is reliable for an introductory tutorial. The video is part of a larger course, and the instructor references previous lessons, which helps contextualize the content.

198 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which is a lesson on research paradigm as part of a research methodology course.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The content is a clear, structured tutorial on research paradigms, based on established methodological concepts. The instructor demonstrates expertise in the field, but the video lacks explicit citations to academic sources, relying on general knowledge. The information is accurate and consistent with standard research methodology teachings.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Research Methods Class Website — The instructor refers to this website for accessing the research methods course and related resources.
  • Lesson 9: Paradigms — The instructor recommends revising this lesson for a detailed discussion on paradigms.

Concurring Sources

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a concise and structured tutorial on research paradigms, specifically tailored for writing section 3.2 of a research proposal. It synthesizes key concepts (ontology, epistemology, methodology) and paradigms (positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism) in a clear, accessible manner, making it a useful resource for students. However, it does not introduce novel ideas but rather consolidates existing knowledge.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Research paradigm - Wikipedia — Provides a broader overview of research paradigms and their philosophical foundations.
  • Ontology - Wikipedia — Explains the philosophical study of being and reality, relevant to the ontological question.
  • Epistemology - Wikipedia — Discusses the theory of knowledge, relevant to the epistemological question.
  • Positivism - Wikipedia — Details the positivist paradigm and its application in social sciences.
  • Interpretivism - Wikipedia — Explains the interpretivist paradigm and its focus on subjective understanding.

137 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows a balanced but moderate performance across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in quality of information and reliability, reflecting the clear and accurate content. The lower scores in quantity and technical depth indicate that the video is introductory and does not cover advanced nuances.

Reliability 7/10

💬 No comments were provided for analysis.