Show description

What are the underlying characteristics that define a research study in this paradigm)? An Introduction to Research 21 Transformative Paradigm The constructivist paradigm has been criticized not only by positivists and postpositivists, but also by another group of researchers who represent a third paradigm of research: the transformative paradigm. This group includes critical theorists, participatory action researchers, Marxists, feminists, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, among others.

295). In the spirit of full disclosure of values held by researchers, it is my position as author of this text that a researcher’s philosophical orientation has implications for every decision made in the research process, including the choice of method. It is true that many researchers proceed without an understanding of their paradigm or its associated philosophical assumptions. However, working without an awareness of our underlying philosophical assumptions does not mean that we do not have such assumptions, only that we are conducting research that rests on unexamined and unrecognized assumptions.

The sample is the group that you have chosen from your population from which to collect data. For example, researchers might have access to 3,000 students. Rather than collect data from all 3,000 students, they might choose 300 students to include in their study (10% sample). 7. Generalizability and transferability: Generalizability refers to the researcher’s ability to generalize the results from the sample to the population from which it was drawn. The ability to generalize results depends on how representative the sample is of the population.