Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Session 1
Positivist
Interpretive
Critical theory
Mixed-methods
Paradigms of social research
(Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2011)
Positivist
Postivist paradigm
It isscience
Natural based
on Generalisation
the assumption that it is
Objectivity
basis
possible to observe social life and establish
reliable, valid knowledge about how it
Testable works
Law based cause
explanations Causality
and effect
/prediction
It is argued that it encourages misleading
emphasis on superficial facts without any
Knowledge
attention
Control, to underlying mechanisms
Quantification, obtainedthat
through
manipulation cannotlarge
be scale
observed observation and
measurement
Review previous Formulate
Identify a topic
literature hypothesis
Report findings / or
look for alternative
Postivist
explanations
design
Positivist methods
Surveys
Tests
Experiments
Paradigms of social research
(Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2011)
Interpretive
Interpretive paradigm
Naturalistic Understanding
Reality is constructed by subjective Interpretation
perceptions
and predictions cannot be made
Knowledge and meanings are socially constructed
Agency
Subjectivity,
People have free(capacity
will, purposes, goals and
of Context-based
intentionality
intentions, so peopleagents)
should be studied as active
agents
Social life consists of interaction processes rather
Fluidity, Specific / non- Multiple
than structures and is constantly changing
change generalisable perspectives
Identify topic
Literature review
Research design
Interpretive
Data collection
Ethnographic
Data analysis design
Elaboration of
concepts and theories
Report of findings
Naturalistic methods
Interviews
Thick
Observation
descriptions
Narratives,
documents
Ethnography
Paradigms of social research
(Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2011)
Critical theory
Critical theory paradigm
Ideology Political
Feminist
critique research
Power
Social justice
relations
Ideology critique
- critical theory
Describe existing situation
Interrogate/challenge legitimacy of
reasons for / causes of existing situation
(political, cultural, social, economic, etc.)
Biographical;
Phenomenological;
Interpretive Qualitative
Ethnographical; case
study
Critical and
Critical Ideology critique;
action-
theory ACTION RESEARCH
oriented
Key steps
Research focus research question
Decide on position yourself
Research paradigm
How do you understand knowledge?
How knowledge is created?
What methodological approach can help you
answer you research questions?
Action research any suggestions?
Kemmis, 1986
Conducted through
Integration of
collaborative
research and action
partnership
Stimulates
High level of
transformative
reflexivity
learning
all the
participants participants as
the main reflection
have co-researchers knowledge and the whole
purpose is the and action
something and co- theory are learning-by-
improvement of are two
to learners, inseparable doing process
a real situation core
contribute including the from practice is what counts
or problem elements
and to researcher
learn
Purpose of action research
To change the world by understanding it
better;
To simultaneously assist in problem-solving
and adding to the knowledge base;
To find and understand a way to achieve an
end rather than to find the best way;
To enhance the competence of those involved
Nature of action research
Personal
Practitioner as
researcher and the
process of self-
reflection, planning
and introducing
changes to improve
self-practice
Political
Professional
Generate
democratic Professional
processes to development
purposes, to
empower groups
enhance
- leads to social profession
change
These are overlapping and may be present in any action research study
The action research cycle
Few experiences taking an interdisciplinary and holistic approach (Tilbury et al., 2004, Ryan, 2011)
Research aims
Explore the factors influencing
academic staff members engagement
in EfS
Views and vision of academic staff
members in relation to EfS
34
Stage I - rationale
International student
University as a unique social
system
University of Southampton
Russell Group University
Research-led
Walk the talk learn from
academics and put in practice EfS
principles - research with people,
foster collaboration and empower
Inform subsequent stages
identify key individuals
35
Next session
Different types of action research
Activity: design your own action research
project
HOMEWORK: Think about real problems in
sustainable clothing to be tacked through action-
research. Think about possible action strategies,
agents involved, research methods, etc.