Coursework - Taking the Leap into the Research World

Following the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines

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Referencing Style: APA / Word Count: 319

This paper herein takes a closer look at the purpose of the author in instigating “our positioning or stance in relation to the knowledge” about research right at the outset of her book.

1. Research as a Journey of Exploration

Having gone through the first chapter, I came across many concepts, theories and approaches pertaining to research.

Empiricism, Ontology, and Epistemology

 Looking at the various aspects of carrying out research, I am of the view that Research itself is a journey to explore the unexplored through our senses. This means that of all the ‘isms’ that O’Leary (2017) talked about, the concept of ‘Empiricism,’ which is based on the fact that the knowledge is limited to what can be observed through our senses, and proven scientifically, should be true. This concept makes it clear what is to be researched (ontology) and how it is to be carried out (epistemology).

Post-Positivism and Exploring the Unknown

 However, one area that has also instigated the spirit of inquiry in me is how about getting to know those facts that we have not perceived yet or are yet to be explored? This can be a stumbling block or restricting oneself to only the hypothesis-testing based Quantitative research methodology. To overcome such a doubt, the concept of ‘post-positivist’ approach that acknowledges that the world is variable and ambiguous, came to my rescue. Not only is Quantitative but Qualitative research methodology being an important aspect in inquiring about the unexplored or unknown areas. 

Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies

Looking at all the aspects of the Research, I am of the view that both the reductive and inductive or Quantitative and Qualitative methodologies should be incorporated in finding out the unexplored through our senses. Summing up, the world is full of knowledge to be explored and to be researched and this can be made possible if we perceive the world through our own lens rather than what has been merely taught. This would definitely add up to what has been contributed by other researchers in the past.

References

O’Leary, Z. (2017) Chapter 1: Taking the leap into the research world. The Essential Guide to 

Doing Your Research. Sage Publications Ltd. Available at 

http://www.ru.ac.bd/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2019/03/402_06_00_O%E2%80%99Leary-The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Your-Research-Project-2017.pdf

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