Ontology:
Reflect on the nature of reality as it pertains to your research topic. Consider:
What assumptions are you making about the reality of the phenomena or issues you are researching?
I am assuming that in-person connections are more important/impactful than online connections. I’m assuming that being part of a healthy community positively affects your wellbeing. I’m assuming that many people feel they don’t spend their free time in a meaningful way, and would like to change that.
Do you view these as objective facts (existing independently of individuals’ perceptions) or as subjective constructs (shaped by personal experiences and cultural influences)?
I view these assumptions mostly as subjective constructs, however I have heard many of these constructs echoed back to me. In the research phase it will be important to objectively investigate the existing evidence both for and against these claims.
Epistemology:
Reflect on your study of knowledge, particularly how knowledge is created, its scope, and its limitations:
What are the primary sources from which you will or have derived knowledge about your research topic (e.g., empirical data, theoretical frameworks, personal experiences, cultural narratives)?
The primary sources for my research will be empirical data such as that gathered through interviews, experimentation (designing, prototyping and testing), and observation. Theoretical frameworks, such as sociological concepts, will form the framework of my research and guide my problem statement and research questions.
Consider if your understanding is mainly theoretical (based on concepts) or empirical (based on observations or data).
My understanding will be shaped by both theoretical and empirical knowledge, but skew heavily towards empirical research in the latter half of the process, due to an emphasis on participatory design.
Identify any potential limitations in your understanding or approach. Reflect on how your background or perspective might influence your interpretation of the research.
A potential limitation in my understanding and approach might come from the assumptions that I have, listed above. It will be important to discover a complete picture of the actual reality of things, rather than to merely confirm my own biases. Additionally, in researching the concept of free time and meaningful free time activities, I have to acknowledge that to have free time is a privilege, and that when assessing free time activities I should include both free and paid activities. I should also be open to redefining what free time means, and having my research change direction in response to that feedback.
