Title: Introduction to theoretical foundations in research
Course: EDPS0009: Researching Education and Society: Qualitative Methods 2020/2021 > Section: 1. Research community

Before we are able to talk about the role and value of research, we need to consider what research is.

In simple terms, research is a systematic investigation.

However, research does not occur in a vacuum. Instead, any and every research is shaped by some theoretical foundations and assumptions, which the researchers make.

Some of these assumptions are expressed openly, others are more implicit and less visible. But the fact remains that every researcher is shaped by their beliefs, background and philosophical outlook.

Our understanding of the philosophical background to research dates back to ancient Greece, but has obviously evolved and developed over the millennia.

Most scholars are talking about four major philosophical traditions (ontology, epistemology, logics and ethics), but some include phenomenology as a fifth domain:

Whether we are consciously aware of our assumptions or not, we all have thoughts and opinions on what is, how we know, how to reason, how we should act and how we experience. Consequently, these philosophical outlooks underpin all research undertakings and theoretical frameworks for qualitative research.

Here is a brief overview to some of these underlying thoughts and assumptions.

For more information about the philosophical domains as well as some selected theoretical frameworks for qualitative social science research, check out the other Moodle resources.