Scott, David (2005) Critical realism and empirical research methods in education. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 39 (4). pp. 633-646. ISSN 1467-9752
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In the light of recent writings of Richard Pring, and in relation to the application of empirical research methods in education, this paper offers a corrective to a neo-realist viewpoint and develops a critical realist perspective. The argument is made that the deployment of empirical research methods needs to be underpinned by a meta-theory embracing epistemological and ontological elements; that this meta-theory does not commit one to the view that absolute knowledge of the social world is possible; and that critical realism is the most appropriate meta-theory to underpin the use of empirical research methods. Further to this, unhelpful dualisms between quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and between structure and agency, are discussed in relation to neo-realist and critical realist perspectives
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | In the light of recent writings of Richard Pring, and in relation to the application of empirical research methods in education, this paper offers a corrective to a neo-realist viewpoint and develops a critical realist perspective. The argument is made that the deployment of empirical research methods needs to be underpinned by a meta-theory embracing epistemological and ontological elements; that this meta-theory does not commit one to the view that absolute knowledge of the social world is possible; and that critical realism is the most appropriate meta-theory to underpin the use of empirical research methods. Further to this, unhelpful dualisms between quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and between structure and agency, are discussed in relation to neo-realist and critical realist perspectives |
| Keywords: | Education research |
| Subjects: | X Education > X300 Academic studies in Education |
| Divisions: | College of Social Sciences > Centre for Educational Research and Development (CERD) |
| Depositing User: | Bev Jones |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Jun 2007 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2011 16:12 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/670 |
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