Epistemology, Ontology, and Axiology in Research

Epistemology, Ontology, and Axiology are terms in research that address underlying assumptions that shape every research, theory, and methodology approach in the social sciences.

Separately, they are branches of philosophy that deal with knowledge/knowing, what the nature of existence is (especially in the existing and nature of human beings), and values.

Together, a richer understanding of these three terms will help you developed a more sophisticated reading of theory and research.

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[orgcomm]

NOTE: The point on Ontology @3:45 should start with a bullet that says something along the lines of "Ontology is the branch of philosophy that studies 'existence' and the nature of 'being'" before I narrowed in on our existence as human beings. I'm in the field of Communication and we study human beings. My bias for asking researching questions about human existence showed through on that point (and in other places in the video). A more purely philosophical video about these terms would have discussed Ontology in a more general and patient sense with more depth and detail before moving to a focus on human existence. But, once videos are posted, you can't change what you said. So, please take note of this important omission.

[bushraa]

Your 8 minute video made more sense than the 400+ pg book sitting in front of me. Thank you

[MusicMakesMeHigh]

This is great! I’m currently writing my dissertation and find that academic explanations of these theories are way too complicated to fully understand. I’m sending this video to my friends!

[Dr.MikeGranato]

Our human brains will always be constrained by its capacities or lack thereof. We can never prove what we claim we to know or value. Yet we have these complex ideas and systems to analyze the metaphysical world and apply the abstract to reality. What a wild ride living is. Thanks for the insights!

[leandrearainey]

Epistemology: Branch of philosophy that studies knowledge (how do we know what we know)… knowledge is relative/ social construction… whatever we treat as knowledge is knowledge. Knowledge is out there waiting to be discovered.
Ontology: studies nature of human beings (who are we, nature of our existence), do we make real free will choices. Are external forces “controlling” our outcomes? Are we better as individuals or groups?
Axiology: studies values (what do we value, what values or outcomes will result from our research?
All three help us appreciate research in different ways

[lindachipunza]

A great expose of the three philosophies that demystifies each one of them and shows how each is linked to research. Academics need to do this more so that they do not alienate themselves from the very subjects for whom research is conducted in the first place. Well done. Will definitely refer my PhD and Masters students to this site.

[rasheesyed]

Thank u so much for this wonderful contribution to my knowledge..huge respect

[Hannah-tghw]

YES! Thank you. Proof that not everyone can teach something abstract while others have a gift to.

[angelahodgkins]

Ive read so much, been to classes and watched videos to rty and get my head around this, but this video actually made it make sense! thank you!

[potterhead]

Thank you for the fantastic video. I'm a film and media undergraduate student and this is the best explanation I've heard of these notions that keep being referred to but no one really has a grasp of...

[qaiserhaider]

The Best Description of those confusing philosophical assumptions. Thank you Sir.

[grandmasteryoda]

One thing I will admit that is hard when it comes to Philosophy is the way people look at you when you ask these types of questions. Well, at least in my own experience. I learned the hard way when it came to asking these questions around people who didn't really care for Philosophy. Most of them always told me, "The world is what it is. There's no need for Philosophy. Good and Evil? They just existed. Why are we here? We just are. So deal with it." These type of answers always drove me insane because it felt like I couldn't find anyone with the same questions that were floating in my head. This video helped me by showing me I'm not the only one out there with these kinds of questions! :)

[chandrachaulagain]

Very clear and nice explanations.Thank you

[emuakpoakpovoka]

That was funny as hell! I'm gonna bring this up at a party and talk about the Bible right after!

[funnyclips]

Hmm, so educating! I've watched many tutorials but it's here I've seen the relevance of these terminologies for my research.
But pls, is there a limit to these number of philosophies...? I was trying to understand positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism and realism; then I come across another set like constructivism, postpositivism, modernism, etc. Then I become confused!

[emoo]

This was phenomenal. I will use with my students for sure

[oblivitus.]

Well done! I wish society knew about these underlying philosophical assumptions they make. How much better political arguments - and silly, petty day-to-day arguments - would carry on!

[rtendotapiwa]

Thank you for this video. It is really helpful. My discipline is cross-trans-multi-discipline and it can get confusing when I have to refer to different disciplines as I study. I have a strange ask to make: I would have appreciated clearer examples to tie up what you are explaining so that I could then follow more closely. I am a visual/ literal person and I struggle to grasp things if I am not able to see them. Example: the example that you give about ways of getting knowledge -the statistics on climate change etc. What assumption does it make the approach to the study? I feel 'hung' somehow. I apologize for asking such an 'obvious' question but, the struggle is real for me in this area.

I do, however, appreciate that you made a lot of reference to ethnography and it made it easier to substitute my research into your examples. Thank you

[krzyszwojciech]

Ontology is studying being, not just a human being. Defining it just through human experiences seems to reveal some unnecessary philosophical commitments.

[danielrivera]

read 500 pages, here I am 9 min later i understand them, thanks Dr.!