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Epistemology

Explanations > Social Research > Philosophies of Social Research > Epistemology

Definition | Positivist ontology | Constructionist ontology | See also

Definition

Epistemology is the study of the nature of knowledge, including how it is created and shared. It is concerned which what can be known and the confidence we have in knowledge.

Positivist epistemology

Positivists view knowledge as a key goal of the scientific approach and that it can only be created through controlled study and the management of facts (which are proven, true pieces of knowledge). The holy grail of positivists is the identification of generalized laws of the universe.

Constructionist epistemology

Constructionist epistemologists consider that knowledge is constructed internally rather being discovered externally. It is hence considered as complex and multiple, such that there is not 'one true knowledge' about things.

Each person has their own knowing and, although this can be shared, we each interpret what we see and hear in our own way. Knowledge is thus not a cold thing on a table but is layered with meaning.

See also

Schools of thought in Critical Theory, Personal Construct Theory, Phenomenology

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

Please help and share:

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

– About
– Guest Articles
– Blog!
– Books
– Changes
– Contact
– Guestbook
– Quotes
– Students
– Webmasters

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed