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Research Design, Main Philosophical Traditions Underpinning Business Research
Conclusion
In order to choose the design of the research, as well as to evaluate whether or not it will answer the research question, the researcher should have an understanding of epistemology, ontology and different philosophical positions. As it was discussed in the essay, in short cuts ontology concerns the question of what knowledge is generated in the research, and epistemology is concerned with the question of how this knowledge is generated. The way, in which the researcher generates knowledge and sees the social world, will undoubtedly influence his or her ideas and research conduction.
It is also important to remember that often a research can produce unexpected findings, and hence a further investigation with different approach will be needed. This can require adaptation of a contrasting philosophical tradition. Moreover, understanding of the underpinning philosophy of the research helps the reader to understand the research itself and to make correct judgements.
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Business Research Methods: Research Design, Main philosophical traditions underpinning business research When developing a research project through a research question and objectives, a researcher is thinking about the most appropriate data collection techniques and analysis procedures. He or she is adopting different information gathering strategies and choosing different methods, in order to approach the goal. However, this thinking does not start with the research design. There are perceptions, basic beliefs and assumptions about the way, in which the researcher views the world. This particular view depends on the research philosophy adopted by the researcher, and underpins the research strategy and methods to choose. Therefore, in order to recognise which research designs will work and which will not, and to indicate the limitations of particular approaches, it is important to understand different research philosophies and the matters of ontology and epistemology. The aim of this essay is to discuss main research philosophies in more detail through different examples. However, sometimes it is hard to understand what authors mean by one or another term. Therefore, this essay concentrates on the most generally acceptable terms. In conclusion the most important aspects are emphasised.
