PARADIGMS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

PARADIGMS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

🎙 Prof. Lydiah Wambugu 👥 29K 📅 June 7, 2024 ⏱ 82 min 👁 5K 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-17
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

paradigmontologyepistemologyaxiologymethodology

Summary

This lecture by Prof. Lydiah Wambugu introduces the concept of paradigms in social science research. It begins by using everyday examples (choosing a supermarket, university) to illustrate how beliefs and assumptions shape our actions, then applies this to research. The lecture defines a paradigm as a set of beliefs and assumptions that guide research, and discusses its four components: ontology (nature of reality), epistemology (nature of knowledge), axiology (role of values), and methodology (methods used). It then outlines four main paradigms in social science: positivism/postpositivism, constructivism/interpretivism, emancipatory, and pragmatism, noting that each has distinct philosophical assumptions. The lecture emphasizes that there is no right or wrong paradigm, but rather the need to align the paradigm’s assumptions with the research problem. It concludes by mentioning that the next session will cover research approaches and their relationship to paradigms.

137 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides a solid foundational overview of research paradigms, making complex philosophical concepts accessible through relatable examples. The argumentation is coherent, systematically building from everyday beliefs to philosophical assumptions and then to specific paradigms. However, the discussion remains at an introductory level, lacking critical evaluation of the paradigms’ strengths and weaknesses. The lecturer relies on repetition to reinforce key points, which aids comprehension but may be seen as redundant for more advanced audiences.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The lecture references established authors in research methodology, including Saunders (2015) and Creswell & Plano Clark, lending credibility to the content. However, specific citations are not provided in the video description, and the lecturer does not delve into the nuances of these sources. The title accurately reflects the content, which is a focused introduction to paradigms. The lecture is well-structured and aligns with the stated objectives, though it lacks depth in discussing the application of paradigms to actual research designs.

169 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on explaining paradigms in social science research.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The lecture provides a clear and structured introduction to research paradigms, drawing on established authors (Saunders, Creswell & Plano Clark). However, it lacks in-depth critical analysis and empirical evidence, and the presentation is informal with some digressions.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research Methods for Business Students — Referenced for definitions of research philosophy and paradigms
  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research — Referenced for the four paradigms in social science

Concurring Sources

  • Research Paradigms in Social Science — Provides a similar overview of paradigms and their components.

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture offers a clear and accessible introduction to research paradigms, using relatable examples to explain abstract concepts. It effectively breaks down the components of a paradigm and outlines the main paradigms in social science. While not groundbreaking, it serves as a valuable educational resource for students new to research methodology.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Research Paradigms — Provides an overview of paradigms in research.
  • Ontology — Explains the philosophical study of being and reality.
  • Epistemology — Discusses the theory of knowledge.
  • Axiology — Covers the study of values and ethics.
  • Positivism — Details the positivist paradigm.
  • Interpretivism — Explains the interpretivist paradigm.

104 words

Radar Profile

The radar chart shows a balanced profile with moderate scores across all dimensions, indicating a solid but not exceptional lecture. The highest scores are in information quality and reliability, reflecting the accurate presentation of established concepts, while the technical level is slightly lower, suggesting an introductory approach.

Reliability 7/10