Research Philosophies / Paradigms

For many postgraduate researchers, research philosophies (also referred to as research paradigms) are one of the most challenging aspects of the research process to understand. The language and associated meaning is often abstract and conceptually dense, making it difficult to translate into practical decisions. If you have ever felt unsure about terms like ontology and epistemology, or how to position your research philosophically, you are certainly not alone.

A research philosophy is essentially a belief system or worldview that guides the researcher. Everything you do in your research is informed by your choice of research philosophy or paradigm. At PhD level, you are expected to be fully conscious of what your belief system is and how it is influencing and shaping your research. Another way of looking at research paradigms is as the underlying assumptions that guide your entire research process - those things you take for granted, consciously or unconsciously. The knowledge you create ultimately depends on the paradigm you choose.

What are the most commonly used paradigms?

Most students doing social science research end up selecting one these five major research philosophies.

Positivism assumes that there is a single objective reality that exists independently of human perception. Reality is fixed, measurable, and can be studied in the same way as the natural sciences. Knowledge is discovered through observation and measurement, with a clear separation between researcher and subject. Positivism is value-free, aiming for neutrality. Typical methodologies include experiments and surveys, often analysed statistically.

Post-positivism shares similarities with positivism but takes a more critical stance. It assumes that reality exists but can only be known imperfectly. Knowledge is probabilistic rather than absolute and because researchers recognise that their observations may be flawed, verification and triangulation are key. While neutrality is still aimed for, it is acknowledged that values cannot be fully eliminated, only controlled and reported. Mixed methods are commonly used to strengthen findings.

At the other end of the spectrum lies interpretivism, which assumes that reality is socially constructed. There are multiple realities, shaped by context and interaction. Knowledge arises from understanding participants’ perspectives rather than imposing external frameworks. Research is value-laden, and reflexivity is essential, meaning that researchers must reflect on how their own values influence the study. Qualitative methods such as interviews and observations are typically used.

The critical paradigm builds on interpretivism but introduces a strong political dimension. It assumes that reality is shaped by social, political, and cultural forces, often involving inequality and power imbalances. Research is explicitly value-driven and aims to promote social change, addressing issues such as oppression and injustice. Knowledge is co-created with participants, often through participatory or emancipatory methods like action research.

Finally, pragmatism focuses on what works. Rather than starting with philosophical assumptions, it begins with the research problem and selects approaches that best address it. Truth is judged by practical consequences, and methods are chosen for their usefulness. Pragmatism is flexible and pluralistic, often combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Knowledge is provisional and action-oriented, evolving as new insights emerge.

Understanding these paradigms is essential for positioning your research and explaining its philosophical foundations. More importantly, it helps you make coherent methodological decisions and justify them with the depth expected at doctoral level. Ultimately, your research philosophy is the foundation that shapes how you see the world, how you generate knowledge, and how you contribute to your field.

To find out more about these five paradigms, watch this video.

Want More Help?

If you found these insights helpful, a much extended version of this video (more than 40 minutes long rather than the 17 minutes as in the YouTube video), is available inside the Virtual Tutor resource. The Virtual Tutor provides in-depth guidance through every stage of the dissertation/thesis process. And if you’d like personalised guidance, I also offer one‑to‑one supervision, where we work together to help you achieve the standard you’re aiming for. Feel free to reach out by dropping me an email - I’d be happy to support you.