Full Title (English)
Academicus International Scientific Journal
Publisher
Academicus International Scientific Journal
ISSN
20793715 (Printed Journal)
23091088 (Online Journal)
Journal Volume Number
10
Journal Issue Date (YYYY/MM)
2014/07
Full Title (English)
A Critique of the Philosophical Underpinnings
By (author)
Affiliation
University of Botswana: Gaborone, South-East District, Botswana, Doctoral Candidate
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1977-5538
Number of Pages
13
First Page
242
Last Page
254
Language of text
English
Publication Date
2014/07
Copyright
2014 Academicus
Main description
The progress of the social science disciplines depends on conducting relevant research. However, research methodology adopted and choices made during the course of the research project are underpinned by varying ontological, epistemological and axiological positions that may be known or unknown to the researcher. This paper sought to critically explore the philosophical underpinnings of the social science research. It was suggested that a “multiversal” ontological position, positivist-hermeneutic epistemological position and value-laden axiological position should be adopted for social science research by non-western scholars as alternative to the dominant naïve realist, positivist, and value-free orientation. Against the backdrop of producing context-relevant knowledge, non-western scholars are encouraged to re-examine their philosophical positions in the conduct of social science research.
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