Perspective on Social Research

This report explores the concept of epistemology, ontology, and methodology in social research. It discusses the differences and similarities between these approaches and their significance in conducting research. The report also examines the use of surveys and questionnaires in research and the importance of numbers and sampling methods. Overall, it provides a comprehensive perspective on social research.

Perspective on Social
Research
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
LECTURE 1.....................................................................................................................................4
Definition of terms.......................................................................................................................4
Practical example how these three combines...............................................................................4
LECTURE 2.....................................................................................................................................6
Nuts and Bolts .............................................................................................................................6
Ontology .....................................................................................................................................6
Methodology................................................................................................................................6
Research question........................................................................................................................6
Appropriateness ..........................................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................7
LECTURE 3.....................................................................................................................................7
Use of surveys and questionnaire................................................................................................7
Closed versus open responsiveness.............................................................................................7
Designing of questionnaire..........................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................8
LECTURE 4.....................................................................................................................................8
What are numbers good for..........................................................................................................8
Numbers as proxies......................................................................................................................8
Numbers show regularities..........................................................................................................8
Sampling......................................................................................................................................9
The most appropriate sampling method.......................................................................................9
Basic descriptive statistics...........................................................................................................9
Mean, mode, median and standard deviations.............................................................................9
The bell curve, controversy and black swans............................................................................10
The problem with causality........................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
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REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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Topic- To investigate the Research whether epistemology, ontology and methodology is the
work or same or different.
INTRODUCTION
Social perspective to research termed out as study of sub section that ranges from
analysis of conversion to development of theories in order to understand entire work (Weiss,
2020). Thus, sociological perspective has broader discipline in terms to methodology and subject
matter.
The present report is based on topic as to undertake research whether epistemology,
ontology and methodology is the work or same or different areas. Herein, the ontological,
epistemological and methodological assumptions will be defined to carry out the comparative
analysis.
Furthermore, report will lay emphasise on activities as to cover the epistemology,
ontology and methodology to define the significance of appropriateness. Also, survey and
questionnaire will be framed out to undertake the research effectively. Lastly, critique of the
study will be presented.
LECTURE 1
Definition of terms
 Ontology- This is defined as philosophical study that aids to understand the nature of
study. It is termed out as the specification of a conceptualisation. Henceforth, the
ontology termed out as one of simplest way to carry study of existence.
 Epistemology- It is termed out as the philosophical study and this is based on factors as
that aids to contribute knowledge on the basis of truth (Mancilla Garcia and Schlüter,
2020). Belief and justification. In addition to this, the epistemology relates with nature of
knowledge, rationality of belief and also allows to undertake the rationality of belief.
 Methodology- This is defined as the specific procedure and techniques that assist to
identify, select, process and analyse information in regards to a particular topic. However,
this sectors allows to critically evaluate the validity and reliability of study. This has
varied methods and activities to undertake proper study on research.
Practical example how these three combines.
The study based on the experiment, class analysis and actor network theory will be
defined in terms to define the appropriateness to the study. Also, the experiment must be taken to
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undertake scientific procedures to make the discovery, text the hypothesis and to demonstrate the
face of study. In addition to this, class analysis defined as to undertake the research with help of
identifying sociology, politics and economics from the point of view relates with the
stratification of society within the dynamic classes.
On the other hand, actor network theory can be termed out as the methodological
approach to social theory that can be used to understand interaction and human with the
inanimate objects (Killam, 2013). Herein, this has been identified that ontology aids to collect
scientific study so this can be relate with undertaking experiment. Therefore, this theory is useful
in terms to investigating the technological execution. With the use of three approaches, the
similarities and differences within research can be identified properly. Thus, ontology and
epistemology defined as two different views ways of viewing research philosophy. Additionally,
epistemology deal with knowledge of study, by use of class analysis the lot of sources can be
gathered and things can be undertaken appropriately. These three components as ontology,
epistemology and methodology aids to deal with the nature of reality.
This aids to sort the things in social world and epistemology assists to concerned with the
nature of knowledge. In addition to this, ontological position mainly focuses on fundamental
nature of existence. With use of actor network theory the ontology research can be undertaken to
carry out science and technology study.
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LECTURE 2
Nuts and Bolts
Epistemology
Epistemology is the business research as a branch of Philosophy which deals with the
sources of the knowledge. Specially this concerned with the nature , limitation, possibility of the
knowledge in the educational field (Cleveland and Bartsch., 2018). It is important because it has
led to numerous key advancement in the human knowledge and it is also tied heavily in the
Psychology, neuroscience and sociology. People cannot ask questions about the knowledge and
the human sense without implementing Epistemology.
Ontology
Ontology is important because without any proper definition there is nothing to be
painted, as well as without will , nothing bears a definition . This defines a proper and the
common vocabulary to the researchers who need to share their information in the domain. This
concludes a mac chine interpretable definition of basic concepts in the domain and relation
between them.
Methodology
Methodology is used to collect and analyse the data from the various sources. It is
important for the researchers to use this method, so they can find appropriate methods,
approaches, strategies and ways to collect data. The importance of Methodology is associated
with not only itself but it is also the means by which others can replicate that what researchers
have done in their research project and how they conduct their research project on the particular
topic.
Research question
Q- What are difference between epistemology, Ontology and methodology and what are their
use in researches ?
Appropriateness
Epistemology is often defined as the theory of knowledge , and talk propositional
knowledge which has dominated the bulk of the modern literature in epistemology. It is
appropriate method to gain knowledge for the researchers, and they can successful gain
appropriate knowledge by using this method. Ontology is important because without any proper
definition there is nothing to be painted, as well as without will , nothing bears a definition . This
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defines a proper and the common vocabulary to the researchers who need to share their
information in the domain. This concludes a mac chine interpretable definition of basic concepts
in the domain and relation between them this is appropriate method for the research to find the
proper vocabulary and use it in their project (Stock., 2019). Methodology is appropriate method
to conduct the researchers because researchers can find what they are needed in their report.
Research methodology provide the way researchers can collect, find and use the appropriate
information and use it in their researchers. There are some parts of the research metrology such
as primary and secondary data methods and other research ways like sampling methods, etc.
which are used in the research methodology.
Conclusion
As per the lecture has been analysed nuts and Bolts of the Epistemology, Ontology and
Methodology. This lecture has been included research question the topic and in the end of this
report has been analysed the appropriateness of the Epistemology, Ontology and Methodology
in the researches and their importance in the research project.
LECTURE 3
Use of surveys and questionnaire
This is termed out as research instrument that is inclusive of series of questions that aims
to gather the information from respondents (Killam, 2013.). Also, Survey questionnaire defined
as set of questions that must be used in undertaking the survey effectively and efficiently. Thus,
qualitative study is very supportive as this to collect, analyse and interpret the varied ways of
group of people from the particular population. This is one of the effective way to collect the
data. In order to undertake the present research, the researcher will have the use of semi structure
interview. In addition to this, semi-structured can be defined as qualitative data collection plan of
action in which the research can be ascertained in systematic manner.
Closed versus open responsiveness
In order to undertake present research study, researcher will use the semi-structured
interview as this allows to undertake better discussion with interviewee rather than asking the
straightforward question. In this research, semi ended structured interview will be collected and
the one of the effective way to collect the information is with open ended data.
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Designing of questionnaire
 Do you think ontology, epistemology and methodology are different techniques to
undertake the research.
 Is these all are different? Are there any specific reason to it?
 Do you think ontology relate with assumption in terms to conduct the nature of reality?
 Is epistemology relates with to sets out the beliefs to discover the knowledge and reality
of study.
CONCLUSION
This has been summarized that to undertake the semi structure interview will be chosen
with help of technique as open ended questionnaire. Herein, the main goal of carrying out study
was to understand the variation between ontology, epistemology and methodology.
LECTURE 4
What are numbers good for
Different researcher select different sample size as per the nature of their study and topic.
In the context of appropriate sample size, it is stated that sample which does not exceed more
than 1000 is a maximum sample size. It also depends upon the total numbers of people and the
population. So, it can be said that 10% of the total population is considered the best and good
sample.
Numbers as proxies
A proxy numbers refers those numbers which are not in itself directly relevant but serve
in place of an immeasurable variable. It is important for researcher to use proxy respondents
which mainly involve older or disabled people. These types of numbers are more likely to
reliable in the context of personal care activities. It can also be said that the use of informations
from proxy respondents are common in research which requires health informations in common
with the help of direct interview methods.
Numbers show regularities
Using of numbers in research in the type of quantitative is controversial. In the
quantitative types, numbers which are selected are in the form of demographic, epidemiology as
well as survey data. The main aim of using data in this form and regularities is to establish
importance of research problem as well as also document what is mainly known about the
research problem and describe sample.
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Sampling
Sample refers a group of people which are being selected in the process of data
collection. The process of selecting a group of people and sample is known as sampling. For
completing research on a specific topic, researcher requires some appropriate and relevant
informations and with the help of sampling, researcher get all informations. It helps a lot in
research as it determines the accuracy of research (Etikan, Musa and Alkassim, 2016).
The most appropriate sampling method
There are mainly 2 types of sampling methods such as: simple Probability and non-
probability. Selection of the one method mainly depends upon the type of research and topic.
Probability is also known as random sampling method in which people are being selected
randomly. It decreases situations of biasness and favouritism. On the other hand, in non-random
and non-probabilistic sampling, sample are selected on some basis or some factors (Etikan and
Bala, 2017). For this study the best and suitable type will be random sampling as it increases
morale of selected people.
Basic descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics is being used to describe the basic features of data or informations
in research study. The main aim of using this statistics is to summarize about the sample and the
measures. It is mainly used to present quantitative description in an effective as well as
manageable form (Vetter, 2017). It simplifies larger amount of informations in a sensible
manner.
Mean, mode, median and standard deviations
Mean: Mean refers the average of total numbers. It is easy for researcher to calculate average
number or mean. There is a requirement to add all numbers and divided by the numbers
presented there. It can be said that it is a sum divided by the count. It plays an important role as it
is the gravity of all informations. It incorporates score from every subject in research study
(Salah and et.al., 2018).
Mode: It is a set of data values which appears the most. It also refers probability that takes
maximum value. So, it can be said that it is a data set number which occurs most frequently in
the set. The main aim of calculating this is to use with categorical data and accomplishing the
main goal by knowing the most preferable answers about the topic.
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Median: It also refers the value which separates the higher half from the lower half of data
sample, population as well as probability. It can also be said that it is a middle number in
ascending, descending and sorted list of numbers. It can be more descriptive of those data which
are set than the average.
Standard deviation: It refers a quality which express the those members of a group which differ
from the mean value for the group. It can also be defined as a measurement of how spread out
numbers are. The main use of standard deviation is to understand how spread out data are
(Albatineh and et.al., 2018).
The bell curve, controversy and black swans
Black swans refers unlikely events which can be explained in a easy manner but only in
retrospect. In this context, it can also be said that expert advice in this are always useless. It
shapes the history of technology, culture and business. Black swan theory describes those events
that can have major impacts and also come as a surprise. This term also explains non-
computability of the probability of consequential rare events in which researcher uses scientific
methods (Pal, 2017). On the other hand, the bell curve states that human interest is influenced by
environmental as well as inherited factors. It is also considered the best predictor of outcomes
which may include: job performance of employees, financial income or others related to the
topic.
The problem with causality
The problem with causality is epistemological, ontological and ontological. In this people
assume that whatever comes after an event have strong relationship which happens before in
time. It can also be said that the problem with causality refers an issue in the philosophy in mind
(Lee, 2016). It also shows ways that how to account for common-sense idea in which intentional
thoughts as well as intentional mental states are causes of intentional actions.
CONCLUSION
It can be summarized from the above lecture that sampling played a vital role in order to
get relevant and accurate informations in order to accomplish goals. It has also been summarized
that sampling has 2 types and selection of sampling depend on the topic and type of nature.
Probability of selecting numbers and the size of sampling also depend upon the type of research
study, available resources, budget etc.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be summarized that this research has discussed the both
ontological and epistemological issues under qualitative research in the wider field of
management and marketing. The present research was based on topic as to investigate the
Research whether epistemology, ontology and methodology is the work or same or different.
This has been analysed that both methods of research have unique benefits and also acts as
complement to one another. It has reviewed that ontology, epistemology and methodologies are
two different way of doing the things.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Albatineh, A.N. and et.al., 2018. Improved confidence interval estimation of the population
standard deviation using ranked set sampling: A simulation study. Journal of
Biostatistics and Epidemiology. 4(3). pp.173-183.
Cleveland, M. and Bartsch, F., 2018. Global consumer culture: epistemology and
ontology. International Marketing Review.
Etikan, I. and Bala, K., 2017. Sampling and sampling methods. Biometrics & Biostatistics
International Journal. 5(6). p.00149.
Etikan, I., Musa, S.A. and Alkassim, R.S., 2016. Comparison of convenience sampling and
purposive sampling. American journal of theoretical and applied statistics. 5(1). pp.1-4.
Killam, L., 2013. Research terminology simplified: Paradigms, axiology, ontology, epistemology
and methodology. Laura Killam.
Lee, J.Y., 2016. Tracing the Evolution of the Global Production Network Discourse: An
Alternative to the Firm-and Industry-Centered Governance Analysis. Journal of the
Korean Geographical Society. 51(5). pp.667-690.
Mancilla Garcia, M. and Schlüter, M., 2020. Towards a Process Epistemology for the Analysis
of Social-Ecological Systems. Environmental Values.
Pal, M., 2017. The Black Swan. Available at SSRN 2879096.
Salah, H.B. and et.al., 2018. Mean and median-based nonparametric estimation of returns in
mean-downside risk portfolio frontier. Annals of operations research. 262(2). pp.653-
681.
Stock, S. R., 2019. Microcomputed tomography: methodology and applications. CRC press.
Vetter, T.R., 2017. Descriptive Statistics: Reporting the Answers to the 5 Basic Questions of
Who, What, Why, When, Where, and a Sixth, So What?. Anesthesia & Analgesia.
125(5). pp.1797-1802.
Weiss, K.M., 2020. The Four Horsemen of the ‘Omicsalypse’: ontology, replicability,
probability and epistemology. Human genetics. 139(1). pp.115-120.
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