Epistemological Foundations of Quantitative Research

Epistemology is the philosophy of knowledge or of the way how we come to know

Post-positivism

Human knowledge is not based on rock-solid, indisputable foundations, but rather on human guesswork

Research can never be safe and that researchers should approximate that reality to the best of their ability

Experiential Realism

It is not possible to observe the world only objectively, due to the fact that one's own perception influences in some way what is being observed

Observation implies a more active than passive interaction through our bodies with the world

"Science, according to this vision, is an activity that is based on this subject / object scheme" (Mulaik, 1995)

Pragmatism

Relates quantitative and qualitative methods based on what needs to be discovered

The meaning and truth of any idea is a function of its practical results

Quantitative research focuses on invariant and numerical data and meticulous, convergent reasoning to find an optimal solution to a clearly defined problem

Its view is objective, realistic, or positivistic because it is based on research conducted without the subjective influence of researchers

Any phenomenon that occurs in the world has its cause and consequence

Positivism

Knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relationships

Information derived from sensory experience, interpreted through reason and logic, constitutes the exclusive source of all true knowledge

Valid knowledge, certainty or truth is found only in this knowledge a posteriori

Subjectivism

Our own mental activity is the only unquestionable fact of our experience

There is no external or objective truth

Post - Positivism

There is a reality independent of our thinking about which science can study

All observation is fallible or imperfect, and because of that, there is inaccuracy. All theory is reviewable

Everything that is observed is assumed through a prior understanding of other theories and concepts

Interpretivism

Interpret study components and incorporate human interest into a study

Uses social constructs such as language, consciousness, shared meanings, and instruments

It is used to group different approaches, to reveal different characteristics of the subject of study

It is vital to see the differences that characterize people

Criticalism

Confront foundations and predictable quantitative or qualitative knowledge methodologies, which make claims of scientific objectivity

Its aim is to change existing and limiting social conditions, and not just predict or explain reality

It includes the deep appreciation of society and culture, relating knowledge of the social sciences and the humanities to make known and challenge the structures of power

Its origins are in sociology and literary criticism

Postmodernism

Science is not universal, nor is it the paradigm of all true knowledge

They say that since reality is contextualized within a particular community and culture, it changes because culture is changing

Reality cannot be conceived by everyone the same

Research involves different ways of appreciating reality

Generalizations should be made sensibly

It allows observing, counting and analyzing the required information using statistical techniques

Information can be more accurately verified, confirmed and verified

Helps research to optimize the time and effort invested in analyzing and describing the results obtained

It focuses on hypothesis testing based on a well-defined plan and clear objectives that can be repeated at any other time and place with the same results

Collect reliable and accurate data

Because data is collected, analyzed and presented in numbers, the results are reliable

Quick data collection

The data are obtained from a representative group of a population

Saves not only time, but also lessens wasting resources

Extensive range of data analysis

Allows a broader collection of data obtained from larger sample groups, which may be a limitation in other situations

Eliminate bias

There are no own interpretations or preconceptions of the results

The results achieved are statistical and verifiable

Answer fundamental questions for data analysis such as who, how much, what, where, when, how many and how

It is objective and appropriate for hypothesis testing, and the results are valid, reliable, and generalizable to a broader population

Some aspects of the social phenomenon cannot be analyzed because society is constantly changing

Quantitative investigations are difficult, expensive and time consuming to perform

They need careful planning

It does not give sufficient explanations about the reasons for the effect of certain variables or aspects on the study group within a detailed context

It does not describe how reality is shaped or how people interpret their behaviors

Leave out meaningful data

Measures variables in a particular context at a given time without measuring those characteristics that could be consistent and contribute a lot to the research as well

The approval or disapproval of a hypothesis may be affected by the subjectivity of the researcher who already intends to approve or disapprove that hypothesis

The context of the study or experiment is ignored

It doesn´t study things in a natural setting

A large population must be studied to obtain accurate results