ABSTRACT
This chapter will focus on epistemology, philosophies, and ontology in qualitative research. In particular, the chapter will focus on how the researcher believes and views the world, and therefore their relationship with the research. With a relational approach to research, it will be argued that the approach to research and data ought to be relational, in that the researcher holds a specific relationship with the data and participants, which is grounded in their epistemological beliefs. I hope each researcher questions their relationship to their research. At the same time, if that is not your common practice, I hope this chapter introduces some language and thoughts that will help start that process.
