The Nature of Inquiry

Setting the Field

 Introduction
Foundations on which different kinds of
empirical research are constructed:

O scientific and positivistic methodologies

O naturalistic and interpretive methodologies
O methodologies from critical theory
O feminist educational research
 The Search for Truth

May be achieved through

O Experience
O Reasoning
O Research
(Mouly, 1978)
 Types of reasoning

O Inductive
O Deductive
O Inductive-Deductive combined
Deductive reasoning, formulated by Aristotle, is based
on syllogism.

• Major premise
All planets based on self-
orbit the sun. evident
proposition

• Minor premise
The earth is a providing a
planet. particular
instance

Therefore the
earth orbits • Conclusion
the sun.
Inductive reasoning, formulated by Francis Bacon in
1600, stressed on the observational basis of science.

He criticized deductive reasoning on the grounds that its major

premises were often preconceived notions which inevitably bias
the conclusions, he proposed in its place the method of inductive
reasoning by means of which the study of a number of individual
cases would lead to a hypothesis and eventually to a
generalization.
Inductive-Deductive Approach combines Aristotelian
deduction with Baconian induction, like a back-and-
forth process of induction.
Hypotheses are tested rigorously and, if necessary,
revised.
Four sets of assumptions
(Burrell & Morgan, 1979)

O Ontological Assumptions – Assumptions

which concern the very nature or essence of
the social phenomena being investigated.
O Epistemological Assumptions -- These
concern the very basis of knowledge; its
nature and forms, how it can be acquired, and
how communicated to other human beings.
Four sets of assumptions
(Burrell & Morgan, 1979)

O Determinism-Voluntarism Assumptions These

concern human nature and, in particular, the
relationship between human beings and their
environment.
O Idiographic Assumptions Emphasis here is placed on
explanation and understanding of the unique and the
particular individual case rather than the general and
the universal; the interest is in a subjective, relativistic
social world rather than an absolutist, external reality.
Two Conceptions of Social Reality
 Two Conceptions of Social Reality

a d a n a s ra
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ep i t t i n e o
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ac tti
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T
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e
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Dete
at the philo
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Relating to the study or discovery of Relating to the study or

particular scientific facts and processes, discovery of general
as distinct from general laws. scientific laws.
That’s all for today! 