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Ontology and Epistemology

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Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences

Abstract

Health social science is an area of study wherein the methodological techniques used within the social sciences are applied to the investigation of human health. Methodological techniques, however, are not philosophically agnostic. Philosophical positions indeed matter in that they result in a range of individual and societal consequences. Consequently, it is important for students and researchers interested in studying the social aspects of health to understand the role of philosophical positions within research. Philosophical positions partly consist of ontological and epistemological assumptions. Ontological issues pertain to what exists, whereas epistemology focuses on the nature, limitations, and justification of human knowledge. This chapter introduces the reader to how ontological and epistemological positions are embedded within the biomedical, biopsychosocial, and critical alternative models of human functioning. Situating each of these models in relevant vignettes, we suggest that philosophical positions serve a dual role within inquiry in that they inform, and are in some circumstances informed by, the methodological and interpretative decisions enacted by researchers.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Graduate Psychology, Center for Assessment and Research Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA

    John D. Hathcoat

  2. Department of Graduate Psychology, Center for Faculty Innovation, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA

    Cara Meixner

  3. Framingham State University, Framingham, MA, USA

    Mark C. Nicholas

Authors
  1. John D. Hathcoat
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  2. Cara Meixner
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  3. Mark C. Nicholas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John D. Hathcoat .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Hathcoat, J.D., Meixner, C., Nicholas, M.C. (2019). Ontology and Epistemology. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_56

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