Realism Research Philosophy

Realism research philosophy relies on the idea of independence of reality from the human mind. This philosophy is based on the assumption of a scientific approach to the development of knowledge.   Realism can be divided into two groups: direct and critical.

Direct realism, also known as naive realism, can be described as “what you see is what you get”[1]. In other words, direct realism portrays the world through personal human senses.

Critical realism, on the other hand, argues that humans do experience the sensations and images of the real world. According to critical realism, sensations and images of the real world can be deceptive and they usually do not portray the real world.[2]

An example of an optical illusion below can be used to illustrate the difference between direct and critical realism. Squares A and B appear to be different colours because of neighbouring contrasting squares, but actually they are the same colour. Direct realists would state that squares A and B have different colours, because this is what they see.

Realism Research Philosophy

Illustration of direct realism and critical realism[3]

Critical realists, on the other hand, recognise that our senses and other factors may get in the way between us as researchers and researched reality. Therefore, critical realists may notice that squares A and B are actually the same colour.

Direct realists accept the world as relatively unchanging. They concentrate on only one level, be it individual, group or an organization. Critical realists, on the other hand, appreciate the importance of multi-level study. Specifically, as a researcher following critical realism research philosophy you have to appreciate the influence and interrelationship between the individual, the group and the organization.

Table below illustrates the ontology, epistemology, axiology and research methods associated with critical realism research philosophy

Ontology Epistemology Axiology Typical methods
Stratified/layered (the

empirical, the actual

and the real)

 

External, independent

Intransient

 

Objective structures

Causal mechanisms

Epistemological

Relativism

 

Knowledge historically

situated and transient

 

Facts are social

Constructions

 

Historical causal

explanation as contribution

Value-laden research

 

Researcher acknowledges

bias by world views,

cultural experience and

upbringing

 

Researcher tries to

minimise bias and errors

 

Researcher is as objective as possible

Retroductive, in-depth

historically situated

analysis of pre-existing

structures and emerging

agency. Range of

methods and data types

to fit subject matter

 Ontology, epistemology, axiology and research methods associated with critical realism research philosophy

There is a consensus among researchers that critical realist is more popular and appropriate than direct realist approach due to its ability to capture the fuller picture when studying a phenomenon.  Accordingly, if you have chosen realism as your research philosophy you are advised to assume the role of critical realist, rather than direct realist.

My e-book, The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step assistance contains discussions of theory and application of research philosophy. The e-book also explains all stages of the research process starting from the selection of the research area to writing personal reflection. Important elements of dissertations such as research philosophyresearch approachresearch designmethods of data collection and data analysis are explained in this e-book in simple words. John Dudovskiy

Realism

[1] Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012) “Research Methods for Business Students” 6th edition, Pearson Education Limited

[2] Novikov, A.M. &Novikov, D.A. (2013) “Research Methodology: From Philosophy of Science to Research Design” CRC Press

[3] Photo Credit: Edward H. Adelson (1995)

 

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