ABSTRACT
One way of proceeding is to view the initial stage in the research process as consisting of two major steps. The first step has its origins in an observation one makes. The second major step in the initial stage of the research process often follows quite rapidly. It is arguable that most research in education and the social sciences has its origin in reform-driven ideas. On this, it is important to keep in mind that H. F. Wolcott uses 'reform' as a blanket term to include 'problem-oriented' and 'decision-oriented' research. The chapter argues that a paradigm's approach to research requires us to adopt a view of the process as involving much more than simply rushing headlong into selecting appropriate methods for the investigation of a problem. Connole et al., argue that research methodologies can be grouped according to four main paradigms: positivism, interpretivism, critical, and postmodernism. The chapter also presents an overview of key concepts discussed in this book.
