This excerpt from Denzin and Lincoln's Handbook of Qualitative Research (1994) compares and contrasts four research paradigms: positivism, postpositivism, critical theory, and constructivism. The authors, Guba and Lincoln, analyze each paradigm's ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions, highlighting their implications for research practices. They discuss the limitations of the dominant positivist paradigm and advocate for alternative approaches that incorporate qualitative methods and acknowledge the role of values in research. Finally, the authors examine the practical consequences of adopting different paradigms, considering issues like inquiry aims, knowledge accumulation, and ethical considerations.

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