Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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such as Sociology and Anthropology (Giles, 2002). Qualitative approaches involve collecting data from
‘naturalistic’ sources, such as verbal and observational reports, and the information analysed contextually (Smith,
2007). Therefore the concern with qualitative data is what a piece of data means, as opposed to finding the
numerical properties with data collected quantitatively (Smith, 2007). Shih (1998) recognises that constructivist
research has richness, holistic analysis and depth of description not found in positivism.
The positivist philosophy of science became apparent in the 19 th century (Al-Hamdan & Anthony, 2010), with
the paradigm predominant in medical disciplines (Eatserby-Smith et al., 1997). Positivist researchers assume that
the methods utilised in the natural sciences such as biology and chemistry should be transferrable for use in the
social sciences. It is therefore assumed that knowledge is made of objective facts which need to be discovered and
understood. This objectivity means that social context is irrelevant, and that knowledge is not associated with
individual understanding (Al-Hamdan & Anthony, 2010). Knowledge is assumed to be observable and measurable,
and can be mapped in order to assume outcomes from events (Schulenberg, 2007). Positivist social science
researchers believe that knowledge should be discovered using objective research techniques in which any preexisting
bias is removed to ensure that the researcher does not impact upon the outcomes of the research. They
believe that we all exist and understand a single reality, which makes the discovery of causation a possibility
through quantitative research techniques (Firestone, 1987).
Contrary to positivist philosophies, interpretive/constructivist approaches see individual people as dynamic
and conscious of their own situation (Al Hamdan & Anthony, 2010). These approaches emerged in order to
discover and analyse human experiences (Schwandt, 2000). Interpretivist research philosophies seek to
understand social situations and activities, as well as improving understanding of the constructed meaning and