Discussion Post 2--3 paragraphs Your definitions of the following terms: philosophy of science, paradigm, epistemology, and ontology Note that defining philosophy of science is different from asking you about your personal philosophy of your discipline, such as your philosophy of education, or your philosophy of management. The distinction between and among these terms An explanation of why these terms are important for researchers to know Use APA format and cite references. Use some of these as reference Handout: Welcome letter to the foundational Research Sequence This document provides information about the foundational research courses and the 48 doctoral competencies the research courses were developed to fulfill. Course Text: Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Chapter 1, `The Selection of a Research Design` This chapter presents the preliminary considerations for selecting a research design and will be used in the Discussions and the Application. Course Text: Reynolds, P. D. (2010). A primer in theory construction (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. Chapter 1, `Introduction` Chapter 2, `The Idea` The first chapter explains the importance of scientific knowledge and how that body of knowledge grows. The second chapter focuses on the concept of paradigms. Media: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Research theory, design, and methods. Baltimore, MD: Author. `Introduction to Research Design` (16:09) Click here to download a transcript of this video segment. Dr. Patton's overview of research design gives context to the research process, including discussion about the terms epistemology and ontology. To view this video program, use the media player located at the top of this page. `Doctoral Research: Advice` (14:51) Click here to download a transcript of this video segment. Experienced researchers offer valuable advice, and reassurance, to new researchers. To view this video program, use the media player located at the top of this page. Walden Library Online Resource Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods http://sage-ereference.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/socialscience/ For Discussions 1 and 2, you will look up the following terms in the Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. (Important Notes: Remember that citing encyclopedias in your research papers and dissertations is not appropriate. The link above will only work when clicked from within this course, as this resource is contained within the Walden Library. Finally, reference entries that appear at the bottom of each page on the site are not in APA style.) Constructivism Critical Theory Empiricism Epistemology Interpretivism Ontology Paradigm Positivism Web Site: Positivism and Post-Positivism http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/positvsm.htm This web site provides an extended explanation of two main philosophies in science. Definition of Philosophy of Science from Britannica Concise Encyclopedia available at http://www.answers.com/topic/philosophy-of-science Branch of philosophy that attempts to elucidate the nature of scientific inquiry observational procedures, patterns of argument, methods of representation and calculation, metaphysical presuppositions and evaluate the grounds of their validity from the points of view of epistemology, formal logic, scientific method, and metaphysics. Historically, it has had two main preoccupations, ontological and epistemological. The ontological preoccupations (which frequently overlap with the sciences themselves) ask what kinds of entities can properly figure in scientific theories and what sort of existence such entities possess. Epistemologically, philosophers of science have analyzed and evaluated the concepts and methods employed in studying natural phenomena, both the general concepts and methods common to all scientific inquiries and the specific ones that distinguish special sciences. Web Site: Center for Research Support: `Office of Student Research Support` http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/Office-of-Student-Research-Support.htm Download the Proposal and Dissertation Rubric from this page. Explore and become familiar with this site, especially the Dissertation Guidebook and Dissertation Checklist in preparation for this week's Application. Research Toolkit In the following weeks, resources that you may find useful as reference will be listed here. Often the titles, such as the APA Manual, are tools you will come to know well for the remainder of your dissertation process. Also, consider any handout listed in the Required Resources as a helpful addition to your Research Toolkit. The Research Toolkit is not limited by what you find listed in this sectionkeep your own Research Toolkit that includes what you find here and resources you discover that are particularly helpful to you. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. APA Manual, Chapter 6 - 6.21 APA Manual, Chapter 6.22 - 6.32 You are required to use proper APA citation style throughout this course. Keep this essential manual, and especially these sections, at hand throughout the course as a reference. Web Site: The Walden Writing Center http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Walden University Writing Center's homepage contains many helpful resources for writing at the doctoral level. Optional Resources See the Suggested Bibliography, located for recommended books. PowerPoint Presentation: Chapter 1, `The Selection of a Research Design` (151 KB) You are encouraged to save, view, and print this PowerPoint presentation drawn from the Course Text Research Design. Tables and slides contained within the presentation may be helpful for completing the activities for this week.

Discussion Post 2--3 paragraphs Your definitions of the following terms: philosophy of science, paradigm, epistemology, and ontology Note that defining philosophy of science is different from asking you about your personal philosophy of your discipline, such as your philosophy of education, or your philosophy of management. The distinction between and among these terms An explanation of why these terms are important for researchers to know Use APA format and cite references. Use some of these as reference Handout: Welcome letter to the foundational Research Sequence This document provides information about the foundational research courses and the 48 doctoral competencies the research courses were developed to fulfill. Course Text: Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Chapter 1, `The Selection of a Research Design` This chapter presents the preliminary considerations for selecting a research design and will be used in the Discussions and the Application. Course Text: Reynolds, P. D. (2010). A primer in theory construction (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. Chapter 1, `Introduction` Chapter 2, `The Idea` The first chapter explains the importance of scientific knowledge and how that body of knowledge grows. The second chapter focuses on the concept of paradigms. Media: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Research theory, design, and methods. Baltimore, MD: Author. `Introduction to Research Design` (16:09) Click here to download a transcript of this video segment. Dr. Patton's overview of research design gives context to the research process, including discussion about the terms epistemology and ontology. To view this video program, use the media player located at the top of this page. `Doctoral Research: Advice` (14:51) Click here to download a transcript of this video segment. Experienced researchers offer valuable advice, and reassurance, to new researchers. To view this video program, use the media player located at the top of this page. Walden Library Online Resource Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods http://sage-ereference.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/socialscience/ For Discussions 1 and 2, you will look up the following terms in the Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. (Important Notes: Remember that citing encyclopedias in your research papers and dissertations is not appropriate. The link above will only work when clicked from within this course, as this resource is contained within the Walden Library. Finally, reference entries that appear at the bottom of each page on the site are not in APA style.) Constructivism Critical Theory Empiricism Epistemology Interpretivism Ontology Paradigm Positivism Web Site: Positivism and Post-Positivism http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/positvsm.htm This web site provides an extended explanation of two main philosophies in science. Definition of Philosophy of Science from Britannica Concise Encyclopedia available at http://www.answers.com/topic/philosophy-of-science Branch of philosophy that attempts to elucidate the nature of scientific inquiry observational procedures, patterns of argument, methods of representation and calculation, metaphysical presuppositions and evaluate the grounds of their validity from the points of view of epistemology, formal logic, scientific method, and metaphysics. Historically, it has had two main preoccupations, ontological and epistemological. The ontological preoccupations (which frequently overlap with the sciences themselves) ask what kinds of entities can properly figure in scientific theories and what sort of existence such entities possess. Epistemologically, philosophers of science have analyzed and evaluated the concepts and methods employed in studying natural phenomena, both the general concepts and methods common to all scientific inquiries and the specific ones that distinguish special sciences. Web Site: Center for Research Support: `Office of Student Research Support` http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/Office-of-Student-Research-Support.htm Download the Proposal and Dissertation Rubric from this page. Explore and become familiar with this site, especially the Dissertation Guidebook and Dissertation Checklist in preparation for this week's Application. Research Toolkit In the following weeks, resources that you may find useful as reference will be listed here. Often the titles, such as the APA Manual, are tools you will come to know well for the remainder of your dissertation process. Also, consider any handout listed in the Required Resources as a helpful addition to your Research Toolkit. The Research Toolkit is not limited by what you find listed in this sectionkeep your own Research Toolkit that includes what you find here and resources you discover that are particularly helpful to you. American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. APA Manual, Chapter 6 - 6.21 APA Manual, Chapter 6.22 - 6.32 You are required to use proper APA citation style throughout this course. Keep this essential manual, and especially these sections, at hand throughout the course as a reference. Web Site: The Walden Writing Center http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Walden University Writing Center's homepage contains many helpful resources for writing at the doctoral level. Optional Resources See the Suggested Bibliography, located for recommended books. PowerPoint Presentation: Chapter 1, `The Selection of a Research Design` (151 KB) You are encouraged to save, view, and print this PowerPoint presentation drawn from the Course Text Research Design. Tables and slides contained within the presentation may be helpful for completing the activities for this week.