This week I have been learning about research paradigms. I think I am understanding everything I’m reading but I am a bit overwhelmed at the amount of new vocabulary!

The one thing I am not really clear on is the impact of a researcher’s world view on their chosen research paradigm. It seems like a researcher’s chosen paradigm should flow from their understanding of the world around them and their beliefs about the nature of knowledge. Therefore, they should always use the same research paradigm, right? However, it also sounds like the chosen paradigm should change based on the type of research being conducted.

So which is (or should be) the driving force behind an applied research paradigm–world view or type of research?