Assignment task: The ultimate objective is to reinforce nascent researchers' consciousness of "assumptions" that may hinder their ability to conduct objective, neutral research.
As reflected in some of our readings, assumptions are the elements of a study that are often taken for granted. For example, researchers may propose that a study will be the most useful for a unique population, assuming that this population is similar to others in which previous studies have been conducted. Researchers are cautioned about making assumptions without examining the literature and searching for supportive evidence. In a discussion of assumptions, Hart (1998) noted:
Some prejudicial forms of assumptions can originate from ethnocentrism - the belief that one's own culture is more important and better than any other. . . . the [researcher] must also look for qualifiers and restrictions. Some arguments use words such as probably, some, many and generally, which often indicate a qualifier. A qualifier functions to limit the scope of a claim in order to make it more acceptable and to place limits on its application. (p. 93)
How might this information facilitate dissertation research?
References:
Hart, C. (1998). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination. Sage Publications.