Overview
Collaboration 2: Philosophical Perspectives and Research Paradigms in Qualitative Inquiry
Qualitative research is grounded in philosophical foundations that shape how researchers understand reality, knowledge, and the nature of the research process. These perspectives influence the design, methods, and interpretation of findings throughout a qualitative study. Because each research paradigm is based on distinct assumptions, it is essential for researchers to recognize the strengths and limitations of each approach and understand how those assumptions guide methodological decisions.
In your initial post (500-750 words):
Compare two qualitative research paradigms that most interest you. You should identify the key assumptions, strengths, limitations, and potential applications of each paradigm.
Write a position statement explaining your personal philosophical stance toward qualitative research. Discuss which paradigm best aligns with your perspective as a researcher and explain why.
Using the “Qualitative Researcher’s Wheel of Research Choices” (Figure 3.1, p. 51, Savin-Baden & Major, 2025), briefly describe how your philosophical stance would influence the design of a qualitative study related to your selected issue. Consider how your paradigm may shape your research questions, methodology, data collection, and interpretation of findings.
Support your position statement with a minimum of 2-3 scholarly sources.
Peer responses (100-150 words): After posting your initial response, review the work of at least two classmates. In your responses, consider similarities and differences between your approaches.
Ask clarifying questions and provide constructive feedback about how their paradigm aligns with their proposed study design.
Your responses should contribute to a meaningful scholarly discussion about the role of philosophical assumptions in qualitative research.
Collaboration Grading Rubric
Grading Rubric (DO NOT USE)
Student Response Instructions
● Prepare an initial collaboration post of 250 to 300 words that addresses all components of the prompt.
● Support the analysis with course materials, scholarly resources, or professional examples.
● After posting the initial response, reply to at least two peers through critique, alternative perspectives, or real-world examples.
Asynchronous online collaboration grades are based on the Discussion/Collaboration Question Grading Rubric located in the syllabus Appendix.
This collaboration supports CLO 1, CLO 2, and CLO 5.
Learning Materials for this Collaboration:
●Aspers, P., & Corte, U. (2019). What is qualitative in qualitative research? Qualitative Sociology, 42(2), 139–160.
●Chafe, R. (2024). Different paradigm conceptions and their implications for qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23.
●Creswell, J., & Poth, C. (2023). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. Chapter 2 Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks (25 pages).
●Gray, D. E. (2021). Doing research in the real world (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd. Chapter 2 Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methodologies (20 pages).
●Savin-Baden, M., & Major, C. H. (2025). Qualitative research: The essential guide to theory and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge. Chapter 3 Research choices and lenses (15 pages); Chapters 4 Philosophical Stance (16 pages); Chapter 5 Personal stance, positionality, and reflexivity (14 pages).