All research is conducted within a particular ontological and epistemological paradigm. The production of a PhD, or any other form of social science research, thus necessitates a clear ontological and epistemological framework. Research must also conform to ethical philosophy and standards. This essay requires students to select and apply ontological, epistemological and ethical paradigms to their proposed research and to critically assess the philosophical foundations and ethical implications of their work.

Describe, discuss and critically evaluate your chosen paradigm and demonstrate how you will apply this paradigm to the design of your research. Consider and critically evaluate the ethical dimensions of your research. Equal weight will be given in the marking to the justification of your chosen paradigm and to the ethical dimensions of your research.

Marking Criteria

The essay should demonstrate:

1. A clear and critical understanding of research philosophy.
2. An appreciation of the fundamental differences between various paradigms.
3. Understanding of the link between research paradigms and methodology, and ability to contextualise own research within an appropriate paradigm.
4. Ability to critically evaluate research paradigms.
5. Critical understanding and analysis of the ethical paradigms covered in this module.
6. Ability to consider and critically evaluate the ethical implications of own research.
7. Failure to engage with the philosophical and ethical paradigms covered in this module will automatically result in a fail.

Learning Outcomes

1. Distinguish and evaluate the philosophical underpinnings and methodological ramifications of different approaches to business and management.
2. Discuss and evaluate the roles that researchers can play and the ethical ramifications of adopting such roles.
3. Specify the philosophical underpinning and methodological ramifications of a research programme and the testing of its findings.

My research title is( Impact of Transformational and Servant Leadership on organisational Innovation: the role of Staff Satisfaction in Banks in Saudi Arabia)

In a Microsoft Word document, write the following three sections:
1-What is Research: Briefly define “scientific research.” Include in your explanation what scientific research includes and what it avoids.
2-Paradigms and Methodologies of Scientific Research: Create your own graphic–do not find one that already exists–that illustrates the main paradigms and methodologies of scientific research. Your graphic can be simple (it must fit on a single page), but should still illustrate the parts and relationships of the main paradigms and methodologies of scientific research. You may use some words, but only as necessary. In addition, compare and contrast the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) with the behavioral and social sciences (psychology, anthropology, economics, political science).
3-Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Briefly describe what is involved with both qualitative and quantitative research along with the strengths and limitations of each.