Social Scientist vs Humanist Ontological Epistemological and Axiological Assumptions Stacey Skulnik Directions Please complete the table and then answer the questions that follow Social Scientist Empirical Scientist Humanist Ontological Assumptions What are each of the theorist s assumptions about how communication functions in the real world What constitutes communication to each of them In other words how would the two types of theorists answer the three ontological questions Epistemological Assumptions What counts as knowledge for each of the theorists How does each theorist acquire knowledge In other words how would the two types of theorists answer the four epistemological questions Axiological Assumptions What are the assumptions regarding the role of values in one s theories and research In other words how would the two types of theorists answer the three axiological questions No choice Individual studies individuals response to stimuli NOT contextualized if knowledge is certain and we can predict then the context doesn t matter Knowledge exists before experience the scientist just has to go discover it Knowledge is gained through empirical means observation Knowledge is certain Can be studied in parts Research is value free The practice of inquire does NOT affect the research process Research should NOT attempt to achieve social change 1 Choice Social study negotiation creating of meaning through conversation speeches interviews rules theorists Contextualized Multiple meanings are acceptable based on interpretation and context of the situation Knowledge does not exist before experience the humanist creates knowledge through intersection with text constructivism Knowledge is gained through mentalism social constructivism or constructivism Knowledge is NOT certain Need to study as a whole Research is NOT value free The practice of inquiry DOES affect the research process Research CAN attempt to achieve social change 2 Questions Given the table you just completed how do you think the social empirical scientist s and the humanist s theories of communication will differ The social empirical scientist believes that communication is an individual process that relies on data and solid research The humanist is more concerned with emotional appeal and reaching the target audience with pathos Specifically a How would their goals of theory differ The goal of the social scientist is to explain predict and sometimes control The goal of the humanist is to engage a better understanding of a situation or occurrence while evoking emotion b How would their explanations differ The social scientist uses strategic steps and presents data and statistics to explain This explanation is more concrete The humanist presents his explanation in the form of self created knowledge based upon personal experience This explanation does not use concrete evidence c How would they differ in the methods used to test their theories The social scientist will conduct field research thorough surveys and then test the theories based on these observations Since humanists explanations are vastly based on assumption there are no tests that he can run because the knowledge is largely based on personal experience 3
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