Living the Life of the Social Inquirer: Beginning Educational Research

Abstract: I contend that too much educational research has focused on method rather than methodology. This has led to uncritical research that accepts as a given the objective reality of the social constructs being investigated and is not concerned with an examination of the relationship between research and practice. In this paper I aim to show why an examination of the underlying "philosophical plumbing" is necessary before embarking on educational research. I then follow my own advice, examining my beliefs about epistemology, ontology and axiology in order to create the research space I am going to inhabit as I set out on my doctoral studies. In doing this I try to arrive at a synthesis of constructivism, postmodernism and participation, examining the tensions and possibilities that this synthesis gives rise to. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0502283. https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/471

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Living the Life of the Social Inquirer: Beginning Educational Research ; volume:6 ; number:2 ; day:31 ; month:05 ; year:2005 ; Forum qualitative Sozialforschung ; 6, Heft 2 (31.05.2005)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Watson, Cate

Further information

• DOI: 10.17169/fqs-6.2.471
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0502283
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:20 AM CEST