A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms

Despite the importance of a theoretical framework in research, researchers face several challenges when selecting a theoretical framework for their study among which are a lack of agreement as to what constitutes a theory, a lack of a single theoretical framework that applies to all social science...

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Main Author: Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Research and Postgraduate Support Directorate 2022-09-01
Series:African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1022
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author Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
author_facet Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
author_sort Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
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description Despite the importance of a theoretical framework in research, researchers face several challenges when selecting a theoretical framework for their study among which are a lack of agreement as to what constitutes a theory, a lack of a single theoretical framework that applies to all social science research, and selection based on personal conviction and interest rather than on the suitability of the theory to the research problem and the paradigmatic orientation of the chosen theory, which takes account of the epistemological assumptions. This study, therefore, aims to develop a model capable of enhancing the researcher's knowledge towards selecting an appropriate theoretical framework. The article is conceptual and dependent on logical arguments by presenting four paradigms alongside their epistemological standpoints. I argued the epistemology of research paradigms and their theoretical lensing using conceptual analysis to analyse the concepts and make sense of them. The study concludes that hypothesis, statistical/mathematical postulations, projections via research questions, and models are better to underpin studies under the positivist/post-positivist paradigm. Descriptive and analytic theories are better used when working within the interpretive paradigm. While transformative paradigm is best to be underpinned within critical theory, postcolonial theories and postcolonial indigenous paradigms are dependent on Indigenous Knowledge System.
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spelling doaj.art-78feac485d59432a94f2cb526cc86db92022-12-22T02:25:01ZengResearch and Postgraduate Support DirectorateAfrican Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies2663-45972663-45892022-09-0141A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research ParadigmsBunmi Isaiah Omodan0Walter Sisulu University, South Africa Despite the importance of a theoretical framework in research, researchers face several challenges when selecting a theoretical framework for their study among which are a lack of agreement as to what constitutes a theory, a lack of a single theoretical framework that applies to all social science research, and selection based on personal conviction and interest rather than on the suitability of the theory to the research problem and the paradigmatic orientation of the chosen theory, which takes account of the epistemological assumptions. This study, therefore, aims to develop a model capable of enhancing the researcher's knowledge towards selecting an appropriate theoretical framework. The article is conceptual and dependent on logical arguments by presenting four paradigms alongside their epistemological standpoints. I argued the epistemology of research paradigms and their theoretical lensing using conceptual analysis to analyse the concepts and make sense of them. The study concludes that hypothesis, statistical/mathematical postulations, projections via research questions, and models are better to underpin studies under the positivist/post-positivist paradigm. Descriptive and analytic theories are better used when working within the interpretive paradigm. While transformative paradigm is best to be underpinned within critical theory, postcolonial theories and postcolonial indigenous paradigms are dependent on Indigenous Knowledge System. https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1022paradigmsepistemology of paradigmstheoretical frameworkselection model
spellingShingle Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
paradigms
epistemology of paradigms
theoretical framework
selection model
title A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
title_full A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
title_fullStr A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
title_full_unstemmed A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
title_short A Model for Selecting Theoretical Framework through Epistemology of Research Paradigms
title_sort model for selecting theoretical framework through epistemology of research paradigms
topic paradigms
epistemology of paradigms
theoretical framework
selection model
url https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1022
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