Methodological, Ontological and Epistemological Relevance of Paradigms in Sociological Analysis and Research Development

Abstract

Research paradigms are the basic belief systems or world views that guide the investigator not only in the choices of methods but in ontologically and epistemologically fundamental ways. Research generally is a process of finding out the answers to problems or the process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Research methods and data form only part of the complex process of sociological research. In a research process the investigator is not only concerned with the appropriate methodology to be adopted in the consummation of the research, he also seeks the appropriate already existing theories or a set of theories to base the analysis of the research. It is these theories and their implied methodological approaches that constitute a research paradigm. The major import or primary focus of this paper, therefore, is to identify and discuss the relevance and purposes of paradigms in sociological research in relation with their methodological, ontological and epistemological implications. The study adopted the qualitative method of data collection and analysis, while the theory of knowledge formed its theoretical framework. From these analyses the following conclusions were reached: that as world views or belief systems, research paradigms enable the investigator in sociological research situate his work in its proper context; and that by knowing the specific research paradigms,the investigator will be able to determine, abinitio that it is a study in functionalism.