The Role of Epistemology in Research 2022

THE ROLE OF EPISTEMOLOGY IN RESEARCH
Introduction
Learning institutions often depend on research to give learners a practical approach to solving societal
problems. Students are introduced to theories that give them an insight and self-reflective comprehension of their
beliefs to come to quality conclusions in their studies. The aspect of an individual’s beliefs concerning how s/he
conceives and understands a given phenomenon is determined by the research methodology adopted in the learning
process. Failure to put emphasis on epistemological concepts in research often leads to methodological bias due to
misinterpretation of the relationship between the primary source data and the research motive (Greco, 2017). It
therefore means that proper research is only carried out if researchers are aware of and acknowledge the need for
appropriate research designs, especially its contribution towards relativism and interpretivism perspectives.
Conditions of epistemology in relation to research ethics
Truth: A case whereby the false propositions are not admissible at all. This is the first condition for knowledge
to exist. It is a fact that can be verified using scientific methods to meet validity and reliability tests. Future researchers
can base their investigations on such facts as they are proved to be accurate.
Belief: this is the bottom-level object for conducting evaluation during research. That is, the case that something
is either true or false. It encompasses the individual’s attitude associated with contentions of realoity or false hope that
something is as s/he sees it.
Justification: provides rationale for the comments and conclusions that the researcher makes about the
phenomenon under investigation. It offers an explanation as to why the study is ideal and affirms or disapproves the
existing concepts.
Relationship between research and epistemology
Research is a process carried out with motive of acquiring new knowledge or information about a given topic,
and must meet all the scientific and objective provisions of any given industry. Epistemology relates to this definition
as it investigates the nature, determines the minimum thresholds and provides justification for the researcher’s
contributions in the findings (Ngulube, & Ngulube, 2017). In other words, understanding epistemology significantly

affects research due to their correlation. Relativists believe that knowledge only exists where there is a strong
contention about a phenomenon that is strongly connected with objective truth. Epistemology has the role of
investigating the authenticity of knowledge by following domain-specific definitions. However, for sound and
justifiable conclusions, inferences should be based on discipline-specific studies since epistemology is not consistent
across subjects (Baumberger, Beisbart, & Brun, 2016). Epistemology can therefore be seen as the branch of philosophy
that deals with an understanding of cognitive science, cultural studies and an investigation of the origin of science. In
this aspect, it (epistemology) helps in explaining how human minds relate to reality and investigating whether the
relationships are valid or invalid.
Practical application of epistemology and its contribution to the research process
Personal epistemology
This paper introduces this class of epistemology first because research often focuses on how the researcher view
and understands the phenomenon and how they construct meaning based on how they try to see the objects through
their inner eyes. This is concerned with the manner and extent to which an individual’s thinking, reasoning and
postulations are affected by the cognitive process. Effective research takes place when the involved parties are
accorded the opportunity to develop personal belief systems for accomplishing the task. This gives the reason why
learners in the same learning environment may view knowledge and concepts differently. Personal epistemology
prompts learners to view themselves as either passive receptors or active constructors of concepts (Lewis, & Westlund,
2015). As such, human beings view and interpret the world through different perceptions they have individually
defined through personal experiences and environmental set up. Personal epistemology is the silent force that directs
researchers to come up with knowledge and theories that meet integrity and validity thresholds. In this regard,
researchers will be willing and enthusiastic to respond when called upon to account for their choice of research design
and postulations based on their own subjectivity. Finally, it is worth noting that researcher’s ability to form personal
belief system is a sure means of converting physical and non-physical reality into “truth claims” through ardent
rationality.