Interpretivism: Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions Analysis

This essay delves into the ontological and epistemological assumptions underpinning the interpretivist research approach. It begins by defining these assumptions and their significance in shaping research methodologies, emphasizing the interpretivist view of multiple, relative realities. The essay then reviews relevant literature, highlighting the differences between interpretivism and positivism, and the importance of the researcher's approach. It discusses how specific approaches influence research practices, providing a table that contrasts interpretivism with other approaches such as positivism, constructivism, and indigenous approaches. The essay anticipates criticisms from other approaches and offers counter-arguments, addressing the ontological and epistemological levels. Finally, it compares and contrasts interpretivism with indigenous approaches, focusing on collaborative research and the empowerment of participants, before concluding that a strong understanding of these assumptions is crucial for producing authentic and reliable research.

ESSAY
(Ontological and Epistemological)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Ontological And Epistemological Assumptions Of The Interpretivisim.....................................3
Literature Review For Interpretivism..........................................................................................4
Specified Approach Makes A Difference In Practice..................................................................4
Anticipating Criticisms From Other Approaches And Providing Counter-Arguments...............5
Relevant Comparisons And Contrasts With Indigenous Approaches.........................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
The present report is based on finding out the value of the research approach which is
been used by the students in their research project. Since the researches are the shadow of the
approaches, which tells the learner whether the research is appropriate or not(Knights, 2015).
Thus this report will make the learner know whether the approach used for the project study has
been appropriate to draw conclusions or not.
MAIN BODY
Ontological And Epistemological Assumptions Of The Interpretivisim
As far as research project is concerned it includes framing the recommendations and
findings by analyzing the data collected. But there are two assumptions which have never been
talked about in past with respect to the approaches used. The two assumptions are Ontological
and epistemological both these assumptions have their own meaning through which the research
approach is justified. When talked about Ontological, it is the study of reality, i.e this particular
assumption deals with the theory of being there, it talks about the present scenario(Nightingale,
2016). It is concerned with questioning that what is with the nature of existence. Both the terms
Ontological and epistemological are related they can't be segregated. If you talked of
constructing a building then building construction meaning is to talk of the reality.
Ontological means the reality and Epistemological means the objectivity. It is seen that
reality is often taken to imply objectivity. Thus it can be noted that for the purpose of conducting
the research the approach used in the research have both the aspects which shows reality and
objectivity of the data collected and also make the people build better perceptions about the data
undertaken in the research. The data collected can be quantitative data or the qualitative data,
irrespective of that the data is analyzed from both the point of view which is reality and
objectivity(Platenkamp and Botterill, 2013). Through any of the research approaches data
collected is assumed to be real as the ontological assumptions are there and with that the data is
also seen as objective data which can be showed in the numbers. Epistemological assumptions
mainly deals with the knowledge and possibility of happening of the thing. Like a probability of
the chances of getting out of batsmen is not known thus here also this type of game takes place.

Literature Review For Interpretivism
The interpretivisim approach is that approach of making the research project appropriate
for the learner in which the data collected is interpreted ion a systematic manner with the
qualitative and quantitative characteristics keeping in mind. Through any of the research
approaches data collected is assumed to be real as the ontological assumptions are there and with
that the data is also seen as objective data which can be showed in the numbers(Hamati-Ataya,
2014). In relation to these two assumptions of approaches ontology and Epistemology is that
interpreters believe the reality is multiple and relative and explain that these multiple realities
also depend on other systems for meanings, which make it even more difficult to interpret in
terms of fixed realities.
A review of the literature shows that most of the cultural/organizational research is based
on a realist perspective and adopts a positivist approach. However, the extent to which positivist
approach can be used to examine a complex concept such as culture has been questioned by
many researchers. The indigenous approaches are the approaches which are participatory action
research and there are many researches in this regard which play an important role in making the
fixed ways known and redistribution of the power of research among the indigenous
participants(Heide and Simonsson, 2015). Positivists ontology believes that the world is external
and there is a single objective reality to any research phenomenon or situation regardless of the
researcher's perspective or belief. The interpretivisim approach is that approach of making the
research project appropriate for the learner in which the data collected is interpreted ion a
systematic manner with the qualitative and quantitative characteristics keeping in mind.
Specified Approach Makes A Difference In Practice
For conducting a research it is important for a researcher to make the decision related to
the approach he is gonna follow. There are different approaches which is followed by the
researchers in order to analyze the data effectively engage the audience through a better finding
and recommendations of the project(Mayall, 2015). The different approaches which are followed
by researcher to conduct the research is Positivism approach, Interpretivisim, Constructivism,
Emancipatory post critical, Feminist, Sociomaterial practice-theory and Indigenous. These
approaches are followed to achieve the objectives of the research project. All the approaches

have different judgments on the both the assumptions which is Ontology and epistemology. and
differnet practices have been followed there in every appoach. These are:
Approaches Ontology Epistemology Practices
Positivism
Post-Positivism
One Reality Discover Truth
Objectively
Measurement
Interpretivism Multiple Realities Constructing
Knowledge, Meaning
Texts, words and
Images
Constructivism Multiple Realities Constructing
Knowledge, Meaning
Texts, words and
Images
Emancipatory,
Feminist
Unfair Realities Make Knowledge to
change the world
Get Involved, action,
Highlight Injustice
SocioMaterial
Practice
Reality is Social &
Material
Trace Relationships Follow practices if
possible
Indigenous Not just western
Reality
Respect other ways of
Knowing
Collaborative,
different Values
Post-Colonial Not just western
Reality
Respect other ways of
Knowing
Collaborative,
different Values
Thus it can be seen that Ontology and epistemology creates how much difference in the
follow up of practices in the research project as far as approach of the research is concerned. As
far as Positivism and interpretivism is concerned it can be noted from the table that the practices
followed here are measurement for the first one and for the later one it is images, texts, etc.
Anticipating Criticisms From Other Approaches And Providing Counter-Arguments
Most of cross-cultural research is based on a realistic perspective both at ontological and
epistemological levels. Ontological realism implies that there is an external reality which does
not depend upon cognitive structures of human investigators. Through any of the research
approaches data collected is assumed to be real as the ontological assumptions are there and with
that the data is also seen as objective data which can be showed in the numbers. On the other
hand, epistemological realism assumes that the external reality is cognitively accessible to
researcher. The researchers who make a distinction between the methods of the classical natural
sciences and those of the social sciences are often called hermeneutics(Eriksson, 2015). In
relation to these two assumptions of approaches ontology and Epistemology is that interpreters
believe the reality is multiple and relative and explain that these multiple realities also depend on
other systems for meanings, which make it even more difficult to interpret in terms of fixed

realities. The effect maintain that natural science methods are essentially unsuitable in social
science domains. A review of the literature shows that most of the cultural/organizational
research is based on a realist perspective and adopts a positivist approach. However, the extent to
which positivist approach can be used to examine a complex concept such as culture has been
questioned by many researchers. It is argued that man and his culture are historical concepts that
should be understood in social context and they cannot be studied in vacuum. Some critiques
assert that positivism approach has rendered cultural phenomena a historical, linguistically nave
and psychologically unaware(King, 2016).
Relevant Comparisons And Contrasts With Indigenous Approaches
As far as indigenous approaches are concerned it can be noted that the ontology here is
not just concerned with the western reality it is also can be local or domestic reality, or of
different cultures does not lay emphasis on one specific factors. The indigenous approaches are
the approaches which are participatory action research and there are many researches in this
regard which play an important role in making the fixed ways known and redistribution of the
power of research among the indigenous participants(Boons, Spekkink and Jiao, 2014). Its key
responsibilities includes establishing the trustful relationships, recognizing spiritual relationships,
honoring relational knowledge, giving participants the power to do more and holistic
Knowledge, also the duty is to take the stand for the participants and centering them towards the
ingenious voice.
As indigenous approach is concerned with giving the participants the power to do more.
Empowerment here can be understood as the relationship between researcher's and the
participants. The indigenous approaches are the approaches which are participatory action
research and there are many researches in this regard which play an important role in making the
fixed ways known and redistribution of the power of research among the indigenous participants.
It can be said that Indigenous meanings and definitions may change with respect to the
understanding of land, water and management(Chesky and Wolfmeyer, 2015). As participants
are in the collaborative process, we have come to know that the researcher should play the role of
interpreter and share research ownership with the community.

CONCLUSION
From this report it can be concluded that in order to build a appropriate research project a
person should be able to make necessary specifications which enhances the authenticity of the
report and reliability too. Further it is made clear from this report is that in every approach the
level of ontology and epistemology is different thus every report is different from one another.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Boons, F., Spekkink, W. and Jiao, W., 2014. A process perspective on industrial
symbiosis. Journal of Industrial Ecology. 18(3). pp.341-355.
Chesky, N. Z. and Wolfmeyer, M. R., 2015. Philosophy of STEM education: A critical
investigation. Springer.
Eriksson, D., 2015. Lessons on knowledge creation in supply chain management. European
Business Review. 27(4). pp.346-368.
Hamati-Ataya, I., 2014. Outline for a Reflexive Epistemology. Epistemology & Philosophy of
Science. 42(4). pp.46-66.
Heide, M. and Simonsson, C., 2015. Struggling with internal crisis communication: A balancing
act between paradoxical tensions. Public Relations Inquiry. 4(2). pp.223-255.
King, M., 2016. The Epistemology of Spiritual Happiness. Journal for the Study of Spirituality.
6(2). pp.142-154.
Knights, D., 2015. Binaries need to shatter for bodies to matter: Do disembodied masculinities
undermine organizational ethics?. Organization. 22(2). pp.200-216.
Mayall, B., 2015. Understanding inter‐generational relations: the case of health maintenance by
children. Sociology of health & illness. 37(2). pp.312-324.
Nightingale, A. J., 2016. Adaptive scholarship and situated knowledges? Hybrid methodologies
and plural epistemologies in climate change adaptation research. Area. 48(1). pp.41-47.
Platenkamp, V. and Botterill, D., 2013. Critical realism, rationality and tourism
knowledge. Annals of Tourism Research. 41. pp.110-129.