ABSTRACT
At the core of what we call science is a particular worldview, set of normative assumptions, and frame of reference. These combine to form a paradigm ( Nobles, 1978a ). Thomas Kuhn (1970) defines paradigms as “universally recognized scientific achievements that for a time provide model problems and solutions to a community of practitioners” (p. viii). These theories, applications, and instruments together provide a model for scientific research by defining the lines of inquiry (Harris, 1979). For example, in the area of black children's identity, the predominant paradigm has been derived from the work of the Clarks (Clark & Clark, 1939, 1940) who established a methodology involving forced choice between racially different dolls or pictures. The results of these studies defined attributes of the identity of black children.
