第1讲引言研究方法论透视PerspectiveOnResearchMethodology

1、Perspectives on Research Methodology引言：研究方法论透视Darleen Opfer 1Behind the welter of names positivism, naturalism, post-positivism, relativism, feminist standpoint epistemology, foundationalism, postmodernism, each with an array of sub-species lie important questions: Is there a single, absolute truth

2、about educational phenomena, or are there multiple truth? (Or is the concept of truth itself so problematic as to be of no value in understanding the world?)在实证主义、自然主义、后实证主义、相对主义、女权扩张论者立场认识论、基础主义、后现代主义等名称的滚动或演变之后，其每一个都伴随着一群亚种展现出某些重要的问题：关于教育现象存在着某个唯一的绝对真理，或者多元真理吗？（或者说真理概念本身是如此地令人置疑以至于在可理解的世界中毫无价值吗？）2

3、Can we count on our senses or on reason, to distinguish that which is true about the world from that which is false? Are there methods that can lead us close to understanding, or are there inherent indeterminancies in all methods? Is knowledge of the world discovered, or constructed? Can knowledge o

4、f the world be evaluated independent of the social and historical contexts in which it exists, or is it always contingent upon, or relative to, particular circumstances? (Pallas, 2003, p.6) 依靠我们的感官（或感觉）或理智，我们可以辨别出这个世界的真伪吗？在所有的方法中是否存在一些引导我们趋近理解的方法，或者说所有方法都是否存在着一些固有的不确定性？关于世界的知识是被发现的还是被建构的？关于世界的知识能够得到

5、独立于其存在的社会历史语境的评价吗？或者说它总是视特定的环境而定，或相对于特定的环境而言的？3What methods do you propose to use?What methodology governs your choice and use of the methods?What theoretical perspective lies behind the methodology in question?What epistemology informs this theoretical perspective?你打算采用什么样的方法？怎样的方法论支配着你的选择以及方法的利用？在

6、问题的方法论背后是什么样的理论视角？怎样的认识论传达着这种理论视角？4Methods the techniques or procedures used to gather and analyze data related to some research question of hypothesis方法用以收集和分析有关一些假设研究问题资料或数据的技巧或程序Methodology the strategy, plan of action, process or design lying behind the choice and use of particular methods and l

7、inking the choice and use of methods to desired outcomes.方法论位于选择和特定方法利用之后并将其与期望结果相联接的策略、行动计划、步骤或构思5Theoretical perspective: the philosophical stance informing the methodology and thus providing a context for the process and grounding its logic and criteria.理论视角：传达方法论的哲学姿态，并因此提供一种基于其逻辑和标准的过程语境Epistem

8、ology: the theory of knowledge embedded in the theoretical perspective and thereby in the methodology. (how we know what we know)认识论：将理论视角嵌入并由此把方法论嵌入其中的知识理论6Why Understand Research Epistemology and Ontology?为何要理解研究认识论和存在论或本体论to understand the interrelationship of the key components of research (incl

9、uding methodology and methods);为了理解研究中心组分之间的相互关系（包括方法论和方法）to avoid confusion when discussing theoretical debates and approaches to social phenomena; and为了避免在探讨理论争论及关于社会现象时发生混淆to be able to recognize others, and defend our own, positions.为了承认他人的并防卫我们自己的立场或位置7Ontology 存在论或本体论claims and assumptions tha

10、t are made about the nature of social reality, claims about what exists, what it looks like, what units make it up and how these units interact with each other. In short, ontological assumptions are concerned with what we believe constitutes social reality.Blaikie, 2000, p. 8 关于社会实在本质构成的主张和假定，宣称什么存在

11、，其看起来像什么，其由哪些基本单位所构成，这些单位之间是如何相互作用或互动的。简而言之，存在论假定关注我们认为什么构成社会实在。8Epistemology 认识论the possible ways of gaining knowledge of social reality, whatever it is understood to be. In short, claims about how what is assumed to exist can be known. Blaikie, 2000, p. 8 无论其被认为是什么，认识论即获得关于社会实在知识的可能途径。总之，它是关于被假定存在

12、的东西是如何能够被认识到的主张。9Fish is Fishby: Leo Lionni10Epistemological Assumptions认识论假定Objectivity believes that knowledge exists whether we are conscious of it or not.客观性认为，知识的存在不依我们的意志为转移Constructionist believes that we come to “know” through our interactions.建构主义者认为，通过互动或相互作用、相互磋商、相互交往，我们达成共识、换取研究成果Subject

13、ivity believes that everyone has a different understanding of what we know.主观性认为，对于我们所认识的世界，每个人都有不同的理解。11Activity 1: Language Use in AbstractsRead the abstracts provided and underline words which you think may illustrate the epistemological assumptions of the researcher.12epistemologytheoretical per

14、spectivemethodologymethods13OntologyEpistemologyMethodologyMethodsSourcesWhats out there to know?What and how can we know about it?How can we go about acquiring knowledge?What procedures can we use to acquire it?Which data can we collect?Adapted from Hay, 2002, pg. 6414EpistemologyTheoretical Perspe

15、ctiveMethodologyMethodsObjectivismConstructionismSubjectivism(and their variants)Positivism Post-positivismInterpretivism -Symbolic interactionsim-Phenomenology-HermeneuticsPragmatismParticipatoryCritical inquiryFeminismPostmodernism(etc.)Experimental researchSurvey researchEthnographyPhenomenologic

16、al researchGrounded theoryHeuristic inquiryAction researchDiscourse analysisFeminist standpoint researchCase Study(etc.)SamplingMeasurement and scalingQuestionnaireObservationParticipantNon-participantInterviewFocus groupCase studyLife historyNarrativeVisual ethnographic methodsStatistical analysisD

17、ata reductionTheme identificationComparative analysisCognitive mappingInterpretative methodsDocument analysisContent analysisConversation analysis(etc.)15Epistemological ContinuumPost-PositivismPositivismInterpretivismPragmatismParticipatoryPostmodernObjectivitySubjectivity16Epistemological HistoryP

18、ost-PositivismPositivismInterpretivismPragmatismParticipatoryPostmodern17Assumptions of Post - PositivismAbsolute truth can never be found.Research is a process of making claims and then testing, refining or abandoning some of them for other claims more strongly warranted.Data, evidence and rational

19、 considerations shape knowledge.Research seeks to develop relevant, true statements that can serve to explain the situation that is of concern or that describes the causal relationship of interest.Researchers must examine their methods and conclusions and control or limit bias.18Assumptions of Inter

20、pretivismMeanings are constructed by humans as they engage with the world they are interpreting.Humans make sense of the world based on their historical and social perspective. They seek to understand the context and then make an interpretation of what they find which is shaped by their own experien

21、ces and backgrounds.The basic generation of meaning is always social.19Assumptions of ParticipatoryParticipatory research is recursive and dialectical and is focused on bring about change in practices.Begins with a stance about the problems in society.It is emancipatory.It is inquiry completed with

22、others rather than on or to others.The research process is cyclical.20Assumptions of PragmatismIs not committed to any one system of philosophy or reality.Individual researchers have freedom of choice to select procedures that best meet their needs.Pragmatists do not see the world as an absolute uni

23、ty.Truth is what works at the time.We need to stop asking questions about reality and the laws of nature and start solving problems.21ObjectivistPost - PositivistSurvey ResearchStatistical AnalysisPutnams Social Capital22ConstructionistInterpretiveCase StudyInterviewsColemans Social Capital23Activity 2: Your Own Research DiagramUse the blank Crotty Diagram to identify the chain that seems to underlie your own research interests. We will share these whe