Epistemology and Metaphysics for Qualitative Research

by Tomas Pernecky

This clearly written and provocative text outlines the wide range of epistemological and metaphysical pillars of research. In a clear, easy to follow style, the reader is guided through an array of concepts that are defined, explained and made simple. With the aid of helpful examples and case studies, the book challenges the prevailing modes of thinking about qualitative inquiry by showcasing an immense variety of philosophical frameworks. Armed with a strong understanding of this philosophical backbone, students will be able to choose and defend a ‘pick and mix’ of research methods that will uniquely complement their research.

Empiricism Rationalism Realism Skepticism Idealism Positivism Post-positivism Idea-ism Hermeneutics Phenomenology Social Ontology Quantum Mechanics  Essential reading for new and experienced researchers, this ‘must’ for any social science bookshelf will help unlock a new level of research creativity.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2016

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine book, and a rare book, particularly for SAGE. In the 'textbook market,' frequently the pitch of a book is too low, aiming at the ill-defined undergraduate student. This book is clearly written and probes the 'where' and 'why' of knowledge.

For qualitative researchers wanting to reflect on their current methods, or student probing ontology and its relationship with epistemology, this is a very strong book.

This is - in short - one of the best books I have read emerging from SAGE. And it remains strong because Pernecky kept the content level high, and the prose clear and precise.

[Wenjing Fan]

SIMM52, read the history of how different kinds of ontology and epistemology developed, but not very useful.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is practically an entire Philosophy 101 course and I strongly recommend it for anyone involved in the humanities, not just social science researchers. Naturally the subject matter is quite dense, but the language is clear and accessible enough that a smart undergrad can handle it. Of special interest to younger students may be the sections on social construction, a concept that's been thrown around quite a bit in online social justice discourse with plenty of confusion on both sides. I also found it fascinating that the roots of postmodernism - namely a skepticism about pure, unbiased knowledge - date back hundreds of years in the Western thought tradition. Really, what on earth made us archivists ever think we could be passively neutral gatherers of records when so much qualitative research is founded in paradigms that emphasize subjectivity to one extent or another.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been extremely helpful in making sense of philosophical issues and paradigms in qualitative research. It's very clearly written and easy to read compared to some of the other books on the market. I highly recommend it!