Naturalistic Inquiry

by Yvonna S. Lincoln

• ISBN13: 9780803924314
• ISBN10: 0803924313
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1985-04-01
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Naturalistic Inquiry provides social scientists with a basic but comprehensive rationale for non-positivistic approaches to research. It confronts the basic premise underlying the scientific tradition that all questions can be answered by employing empirical, testable, replicable research techniques. The authors maintain that there are scientific 'facts' that existing paradigms cannot explain, and argue against traditional positivistic inquiry. They suggest an alternative approach supporting the use of the 'naturalistic' paradigm.

Table of Contents

Post-Positivism and the Naturalistic Paradigm

Is the Naturalistic Paradigm the Genuine Article?

Constructed Realities

The Disturbing and Disturbed Observer

The Only Generalization is

There is no Generalization

Is Causality a Viable Concept?

Is Being Value-Free Valuable?

Doing What Comes Naturally

Designing a Naturalistic Inquiry

Implementing the Naturalistic Inquiry

Establishing Trustworthiness

Processing Naturalistically-Obtained Data

Case Reporting, Member Checking, and Auditing