Ebook: Postpositivism and Educational Research

This volume presents in a forthright and lively way, an account of the philosophical position generally identified as 'Postpositivistic' that undergirds much of mainstream research in education and the related social sciences. The discussion throughout is informed by recent developments in philosophy of science. This book argues that, while there is much to be learned from recent critiques regarding truth in research, traditional scientific values and assumptions are not outmoded.;Philosophy, Theory, and Educational Research; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Table of Figures; Series Preface; Acknowledgments; 1 -- What Is Postpositivism?; THE POSITIVISTIC ACCOUNT OF SCIENCE; PROBLEMS WITH FOUNDATIONALIST EPISTEMOLOGIES; CONCLUSION; REFERENCES; 2 -- Philosophical Commitments of Postpositivist Researchers; HOW CAN KNOWLEDGE NOT HAVE A FOUNDATION?; MULTIPLE BELIEFS, MULTIPLE TRUTHS, MULTIPLE REALITIES; OBJECTIVITY, SUBJECTIVITY, AND BIAS; REFERENCES; 3 -- Objectivity, Relativity, and Value Neutrality; CRITIQUES OF THE VALUE NEUTRALITY OF RESEARCH.