Ensayos de actividad enzimática

A researcher’s implicit and explicit assumptions regarding the nature of reality, the truth, social world, and the ways to investigate it, influence the choice of research

methodology employed (Crotty, 1998; Creswell, 2013; Punch, 2009). For Morgan and Smircich (1980) a set of three dimensional beliefs constitutes the main the guiding force in choices made by researchers. These three dimensional beliefs comprise:

assumptions about ontology, epistemology and human nature.

Ontology can be defined as a particular view of reality held about the situation in

question (Crotty, 1998). Essentially, this regards the form and nature of reality and what can be known about it (Punch, 2009). For Bryman (2008), one’s ontological stance is rooted in one’s belief as to whether the social world exists externally to people or

whether it is a phenomena which is shaped and fashioned by social actors. Cohen and Manion et al (2001) develop this further asking:

Is social reality external to individuals – imposing itself on their consciousness from without – or is it the product of individual consciousness? Is reality of an objective nature, or the result of

individual cognition? Is it a given ‘out there’ in the world, or is it created by one’s own mind? (2001, p. 6).

A continuum of basic assumptions concerning ontology is presented by Morgan and Smircich (1980), who place reality as being the ‘projection of human imagination’ at one end, where reality is seen as being subjective and the result of one’s imagination and reality as ‘a concrete structure’ at the opposing end, constituting, “a single,

independently existing reality that can be assessed by researchers” (Greenbank, 2003, p.51). For Tebes (2005), this latter form of view of reality - ‘realism’ is described as “mind-independent truth” (2005, p.215) and is a view which perceives that the truth is ‘out there’. In this view, the world predates humankind, it is an empirical entity, which exists beyond our cognitive efforts (Gill and Johnson, 1997).

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Such polarised views are identified by Bryman (2008) who proposes the terms ‘objectivism’ and ‘constructionism’ as representations of the two extreme forms of ontological stance. For Bryman, questions surrounding social ontology are simply whether social entities can be seen as objective entities, which have a reality

external to people, or whether social entities are social constructions, constructed from and through the actions, behaviour and perceptions of people, forever evolving as a result of this interaction. Within the constructionist view of reality and the truth, there is no one truth but many truths (Creswell, 2013). Similarly there is not one knowledge but knowledges (Braun and Clarke, 2013).

The continuum proposed by Morgan and Smircich (1980) does comprise less polarised views of reality. Morgan and Smircich (1980) highlight ‘middle of the road views’, one which perceives reality as a ‘symbolic discourse’ and one in which reality is seen as a ‘contextual field of information’ (1980, p. 494-495). For researchers for whom reality is a ‘symbolic discourse’ (ibid), the social world is comprised of symbolic relationships and meanings formulated through the process of both human interaction and action. In this view, reality is influenced by other actors in the field as well as through the individual (Cohen et al, 2007). For researchers aligning themselves more with reality as a ‘contextual field of information’ (Morgan and Smircich, 1980, p.495), the social world and reality is seen as ever changing based on the transmission of knowledge. In this view, individuals interact with their contexts through the exchange of information and this in turn shapes reality. As such, reality is not fixed but is fluid in its form and nature.

A social researcher’s perception of the social world and the nature of reality influences the way that they believe knowledge is acquired and communicated. It follows that a compatible epistemology will be adopted by the researcher, to complement their ontology. Burrell and Morgan (1979) assert that epistemology rests on whether one holds the belief that knowledge is something that can be acquired or whether it is something which has to be personally experienced.

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It is likely that a researcher whom possesses a view of reality which is highly objective, will adopt a positivist epistemology. Here the world, social and physical, is seen as a concrete structure which requires empirical and scientific analysis. Events, processes and phenomena, in the positivist epistemological approach, are only meaningful if they are observable and verifiable. In contrast, for those researchers for whom knowledge is personal and subjective, involvement with their subjects is a necessary part of the research process (Creswell, 2013).

Burrell and Morgan (1979) portray two images which emerge from the ontological and epistemological stances described previously. The positivist, scientific view of human nature sees human beings as responding to their environment mechanistically. In this view, humans and their experiences are products of their environment. Juxtaposed to this is the view that human beings possess a creative role in their environment. Rather than being controlled by their environment humans are the controllers/initiators of their actions. The ontological, epistemological and stance relating to human nature, taken by a researcher, influences the nature of the methods employed for a given piece of

research. Figure 6 (p.63) shows the relationship of my own ontological view, informed by my beliefs and perception of truth and human nature, illuminating how this serves to inform my epistemology, the paradigm of the research and ultimately the methodology employed.

With regard to this study, and the researcher, reality is seen as a fluid phenomenon which is shaped through social interaction and behaviour, rather than a static entity or facts that exist ‘out there’ to be uncovered. Knowledge is constructed through the actions of the actors within this social world and this again is fluid in both its type and nature. Therefore, throughout this study, a constructionist view of reality and knowledge is applied.

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Figure 6: Personal ontological influences on research

In terms of axiological assumptions, it is arguable that all researchers bring existing values to a given study. Indeed, having chosen a phenomena to research, in its own right, alludes to a value being placed on to the research focus- with the researcher deeming it to be worthy of investigation. In qualitative research the importance and existence of values are acknowledged. No claims of complete objectivity are made.