TOPIC: Take some time to make sure you have a general sense of these different research ideologies. Where do you feel most aligned in these research ideologies? Then reflect on how these frameworks might shape your approach to one of the questions you pondered in your blog last week. (“If I were to take a positivist approach, I might answer my question this way…. If I took a Constructivist approach, I might answer my question that way.”) You don’t have to be sure – just wonder!
Positivist, Constructivism, Critical - Formal Ideologies of Research...
Oh, three short videos that's easy! Not quite! I'm still trying to understand each term, and be able to explain it to someone despite the research. Thank you AI! But we will get there. I feel like I am taking a strength test to help me know myself better, but not really. But seriously, as I watched each video and then read a little bit more about each research ideology I actually felt like I was doing an identity test. A test that could essentially lead me to more understanding of myself, and what is the irony of this?
A useful website I found in my digging was this: https://uta.pressbooks.pub/advancedresearchmethodsinsw/chapter/5-3-social-work-research-paradigms/
After watching the videos and then doing a bit more of reading I can comfortably say that I can relate to being a constructivism and/or a critical researcher. I also know for sure that I cannot identify with only being a positivist. A constructivism researcher focuses on the experiences, reflections and social interactions rather than just information. I can't use better words to describe myself. I find meaning in experiences and learning from others. While I respect readings and theories that is not the only thing life is about. I get a sense of actual understanding of the world and humans through those interactions that leave more values in my life than a book. This gives me a sense of meaning and purpose in life. At the same time, I can see myself being a critical researcher, a person that can analyze and critique how our values, ideas and beliefs can support structures and social inequalities. I think this is where I find myself to be doing more work recently in my work outside of work. Ha, that sounds funny, but get it? This is not necessarily something I feel I have mastered, if that even is a thing, but I am learning that it can be a useful tool in the type of work that I am leaning towards because the information interpreted can lead to change.
A term that I came across in the website I found, but also while defining the terms was post-positivism and I wonder if this is a term we will discuss in the class at some point. Now leading in a constructivism approach, I might answer my question about "If schools want more parent involvement why isn't the work place cooperating with this?" I would do interviews with different parent from different backgrounds, and ask questions related to their job, learn more about their story, and inquire about whether parent involvement is important to them. I would conclude in my answers that yes parent involvement is important, but finding the time is hard, so how do we make time? I don't know, great question.
Frangely, thank you for bringing humor into your post because I as well was all over the place with these terms, I had to break it down into real-life scenarios for better understanding
ReplyDeleteI really like your question. I do believe that family engagement is important in educational settings, and it is also the educational space, as well to help with this such as staff members.