A brief note on research philosophy

A brief note on research philosophy (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1a: "What is research philosophy (notably, positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism and critical realism) all about with reference to MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects?"

The reply: "Research philosophy is about the set of beliefs, assumptions, and frameworks that guide how researchers approach their investigation of reality and knowledge. It shapes how research questions are formulated, what methods are used, and how data is interpreted. In MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects, the key research philosophies include positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, and critical realism, each with distinct assumptions and approaches.

Positivism

Positivism views reality as objective and measurable. It emphasizes empirical observation and quantitative methods, aiming for hypothesis testing and generalizable findings. In MBA projects, positivism suits studies requiring strong prediction and explanation using measurable data. In Housing Studies, it can be used for analyzing objective housing market data or resident demographics.

Interpretivism

Interpretivism sees reality as socially constructed and subjective, focusing on understanding meanings and experiences through qualitative methods such as interviews and case studies. MBA dissertations using interpretivism explore individual or group behaviors, motivations, or organizational culture. In Housing Studies, it helps understand occupants' lived experiences and perceptions about housing.

Pragmatism

Pragmatism is flexible and combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. It focuses on practical problem-solving relevant to real-world situations. Pragmatism is suitable for MBA projects that require mixed methods to address complex business problems and for Housing Studies research involving diverse data types to develop applied housing management models.

Critical Realism

Critical realism acknowledges an objective reality but stresses that human perception and social context influence understanding. It often uses mixed methods to explore both observable phenomena and underlying causal mechanisms. This philosophy is useful in MBA research that investigates the deeper factors shaping business phenomena and in Housing Studies to explore structural and social factors affecting housing.

This understanding helps align dissertation research design and methods in MBA and Housing Studies for coherence and rigor based on the research philosophy chosen."

My question 1b: "Highlight 4 main ideas underlying each of the three branches of research philosophy in social science, i.e.. ontology, epistemology and axiology."

The reply: "Here are the four main ideas underlying each of the three branches of research philosophy in social science:

Ontology (Nature of Reality)

1. Nature of Being: Ontology studies the nature of reality—what exists and what can be known about existence in the social world.

2. Objective vs Subjective Reality: It questions whether social phenomena exist independently of human perception (objectivism) or are socially constructed (subjectivism).

3. Multiple Realities: Some ontologies recognize multiple or shifting realities shaped by social contexts and experiences.

4. Foundation for Research Approach: Ontological stance determines what kinds of entities researchers consider real and worthy of study, impacting the whole research design.

Epistemology (Nature of Knowledge)

1. Nature and Scope of Knowledge: Epistemology concerns what knowledge is, its limits, and how it can be validly acquired or justified.

2. Relationship between Researcher and Reality: It addresses whether researchers can objectively observe reality (objectivism) or must interpret it subjectively (constructionism).

3. Types of Knowledge: It distinguishes between objective facts and subjective understandings or meanings in social research.

4. Influence on Methods: Epistemological assumptions guide the choice of methods and approaches to data collection and analysis.

Axiology (Values in Research)

1. Role of Values: Axiology addresses the role of ethics, values, and bias in the research process.

2. Researcher’s Influence: It recognizes that researchers’ values and beliefs can influence research questions, design, interpretation, and reporting.

3. Objectivity vs Subjectivity: Some philosophies strive for value-free, objective research while others accept or emphasize the inevitability of value-laden inquiry.

4. Ethical Considerations: Axiology informs ethical practices and decisions throughout the research lifecycle.

These three philosophical branches—ontology, epistemology, and axiology—form the foundational framework shaping social science research design and practice."

My question 2: "Please provide a brief chronological account on the topic of research philosophy in social science."

The reply: "The topic of research philosophy in social science has evolved chronologically from ancient philosophical inquiries to modern scientific approaches.

Antiquity and Early Thought

• The origins trace back to ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, who explored human nature, society, and governance through rational inquiry and philosophy.

• During the Medieval period, significant contributions came from Islamic scholars like Al-Biruni and Ibn Khaldun, who integrated empirical observation and social theory.

Enlightenment and Early Modern Period

• The social sciences began taking shape during the Enlightenment (17th–18th centuries) with an emphasis on reason, observation, and the scientific study of society.

• Moral philosophy encompassed early social sciences, with figures like Adam Smith and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advancing theories on economics, society, and governance.

19th Century and Positivism

• The term "social science" emerged distinctly in the 19th century, attributed to thinkers like Auguste Comte who introduced positivism, advocating for the study of society through observable, scientific laws.

• Sociology was established as a discipline, with positivism focusing on empirical and quantitative methods.

20th Century and Diversification

• The social sciences diversified, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods.

• New philosophies such as interpretivism emerged, emphasizing understanding human experience subjectively.

• Pragmatism arose, combining methods to address practical problems.

• Critical realism developed, recognizing reality's complexity and the influence of social context on knowledge.

This historical trajectory reflects a shift from purely philosophical speculation to empirical, scientific approaches with growing methodological pluralism in social science research philosophy."

My question 3: "How does the choice of research philosophy employed influence (1) research objective formulation, (2) literature review priority, (3) the research methodology formulation, and (4) research method design criteria choices in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects?"

The reply: "The choice of research philosophy strongly influences four key aspects of MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects:

1. Research Objective Formulation:

• The philosophy shapes the nature and focus of research objectives. Positivism leads to objectives aimed at testing hypotheses and measuring variables. Interpretivism favors objectives focused on exploring meanings and experiences. Pragmatism emphasizes solving practical problems, shaping objectives that blend both exploration and measurement. Critical realism shapes objectives to uncover deeper causal mechanisms beyond observable data.

2. Literature Review Priority:

• Research philosophy guides what literature is prioritized. Positivism stresses quantitative studies and theories tested empirically. Interpretivism values qualitative, contextual, and interpretative studies. Pragmatism encourages diverse sources, including practical and applied research. Critical realism highlights literature addressing both empirical patterns and underlying structural explanations.

3. Research Methodology Formulation:

• The chosen philosophy dictates the methodological approach. Positivism aligns with quantitative methodologies, experimental or survey-based. Interpretivism aligns with qualitative methodologies like interviews and ethnography to understand social context. Pragmatism endorses using mixed methods to suit practical purposes. Critical realism combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore multiple layers of reality.

4. Research Method Design Criteria Choices:

• The philosophy influences criteria for selecting data collection and analysis tools. Positivism focuses on objectivity, reliability, and generalizability. Interpretivism prioritizes depth, context, and participant perspectives. Pragmatism prioritizes effectiveness and appropriateness in addressing research questions. Critical realism seeks methods that uncover causal explanation and account for complexity.

In summary, the research philosophy sets the ontological and epistemological foundation that informs how the research problem is framed, what evidence is valued, which approaches are justified, and how the study’s quality is judged in MBA and Housing Studies dissertations.The choice of research philosophy in MBA and Housing Studies dissertations influences key aspects of the research process:

1. Research Objective Formulation
   The chosen philosophy shapes the nature of the research objectives: positivism leads to objectives focused on hypothesis testing and measurable phenomena; interpretivism emphasizes exploring subjective meanings; pragmatism drives practical, solution-oriented goals; and critical realism seeks to uncover deeper causal mechanisms behind observable data.

2. Literature Review Priority
   Philosophy guides which types of literature are prioritized: positivism values empirical, quantitative studies; interpretivism focuses on qualitative, contextual analyses; pragmatism supports diverse, applied research sources; and critical realism includes studies that address both empirical findings and underlying social structures.

3. Research Methodology Formulation
   Philosophical assumptions determine the methodological framework: positivism aligns with quantitative, experimental, or survey methods; interpretivism with qualitative approaches like interviews and case studies; pragmatism adopts mixed methods as appropriate; critical realism promotes combining qualitative and quantitative methods to explore complex social realities.

4. Research Method Design Criteria
   Philosophy influences criteria for choosing specific methods: positivism demands objectivity and generalizability; interpretivism prioritizes rich, contextual understanding; pragmatism focuses on the usefulness and practicality of methods; critical realism looks for methods that reveal causal explanations and accommodate complexity.

Overall, the research philosophy establishes the foundational beliefs about reality and knowledge that shape the entire research design, ensuring coherence among objectives, literature review, methodology, and methods in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.