In this collection of original articles, three new strategies for doing research - postpositivism, critical theory and constructivism - challenge scientific positivism, long the reigning paradigm. In more than 30 chapters, these new strategies are examined and compared on issues such as: whether research can be conducted between paradigms; whether each paradigm is equally useful in answering questions of applied research; what constitutes good or ethical wotk within each paradigm. Unsurprisingly, there is no agreement on a 'best paradigm', but the significant issues in selecting the proper paradigm for a variety of research questions are fully aired.
(Retired)
Foreword - Egon G Guba PART ONE: SETTING THE STAGE The Alternative Paradigm Dialog PART TWO: POINTS OF VIEW Postpositivistic Science - Denis C Phillips Myths and Realities Whose Future? Whose Past? Notes on Critical Theory and Methodology - Thomas S Popkewitz The Making of a Constructivist - Yvonna S Lincoln A Remembrance of Transformations Past The Meaning of Alternative Paradigms for Practice - Elliot W Eisner PART THREE: THE NEED FOR DIALOG: ISSUES AND INTERPRETATIONS Introduction - Egon G Guba Accomodation Accommodation - William A Firestone Toward a Paradigm-Praxis Dialectic Social Accomodation - Thomas M Skrtic Toward a Dialogical Discourse in Educational Inquiry Discussion on Accommodation - Ann Austin Ethics Ethics, Field Studies and the Paradigm Crisis - Louis M Smith An Ethics of Qualitative Field Studies - Ernest R House Discussion on Ethics - Thomas Gregory Goodness Criteria Alternative Research Paradigms and the Problem of Criteria - John K Smith Goodness Criteria - Catherine Marshall Are They Objective Realities or Judgment Calls? Discussion on Criteria - Lois Heshusius Implementation Toward a Dialog about Implementation Within a Conceptual Cycle of Inquiry - Judith L Green and Susanne Chandler Peering at Paradigms Through the Prism of Practice Improvement - David P Crandall Discussion on Implementation - Corinne Glesne Knowledge Accumulation Three Views on the Nature and Role of Knowledge in Social Science - Jennifer C Greene Emergent Paradigms. How New? How Necessary? - Margaret D LeCompte Discussion on Knowledge Accumulation - Judith Preissle Goetz Methodology Paths to Inquiry in the Social Disciplines - Thomas R Schwandt Scientific, Constructivist and Critical Theory Methodologies Ruminations on Methodology - Gail McCutcheon Of Truth and Significance Discussion on Methodology - Marion Lundy Dobbert Training So-Called Training in the So-Called Alternative Paradigm - Shulamit Reinharz A Response to So-Called Training in the So-Called Alternative Paradigm - Jeri R Nowakowski Reactions to the Dark Half Discussion on Training - Judy Barford Values Reinscribing Otherwise - Patti A Lather The Play of Values in the Practices of the Human Sciences Show and Tell - Madeleine Grumet A Response to the Value Issue in Alternative Paradigms for Inquiry Discussion on Values - John P Beck PART FOUR: SUMMATION AND PROJECTION Introduction - Egon G Guba A Postnote - Alan Peshkin Tales from the Rear Next Steps - Harbans S Bhola The Auditors' Report Carrying on the Dialog - Egon G Guba
