Epistemology and Research Methodologies

These flashcards cover key concepts in epistemology and research methodologies based on the lecture notes.

Epistemology

The study of how we know what we know, looking at how people, societies, and cultures develop knowledge.

Paradigm

A person's or group's worldview, the overall lens through which they perceive and interpret the world.

Indigenous Worldview

Focuses on relationships, community, and responsibility to the land, acknowledging multiple interconnected truths.

Deductive Reasoning

A method that starts with a theory or hypothesis and tests it, commonly used in quantitative research.

Inductive Reasoning

A method that starts with observation and builds a theory from data, commonly used in qualitative research.

Quantitative Research

Research focusing on numbers and measurement, typically involving large samples and deductive reasoning.

Qualitative Research

Research focusing on meaning, stories, and experiences, typically involving small samples and inductive reasoning.

The 8 R’s

Principles guiding Indigenous research: Respectful representations, Revising, Reclaiming, Renaming, Remembering, Reconnecting, Recovering, Researching.

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement; results should be reproducible if tests are repeated.

Validity

How well a measure actually assesses what it claims to measure, including aspects like face and content validity.

Transferability

The applicability of findings to other settings if sufficient detail is provided; common in qualitative studies.

Generalization

The application of research findings to a broader population, common in quantitative studies.

Transformative Worldview

Rooted in social justice and power analysis, aimed at exposing oppression and facilitating change.

Research Ethics Board (REB)

A board that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met before studies are conducted.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated or compared in an experiment.