A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research

Arthur William Fodouop Kouam

doi:10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

Full Text (PDF)

Arthur William Fodouop Kouam ¹ ^*

More Detail

¹ Saxo Fintech Business School, University of Sanya, China^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine the potential of post-positivism and critical realism as epistemological frameworks for enhancing educational research. By employing a rigorous methodology that involves explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprehensive data extraction, and thematic analysis, the study synthesizes existing literature to elucidate the theoretical foundations and methodological implications of these paradigms. The originality of this research lies in its focused exploration of how these frameworks can address the current limitations in educational inquiry, particularly regarding the need for a deeper understanding of causal mechanisms and contextual influences. The findings underscore the significance of clarifying epistemological assumptions, adopting methodological pluralism, and promoting reflexivity in educational research. Additionally, the study provides practical recommendations for researchers seeking to apply these frameworks in their work effectively. By bridging the existing knowledge gap, this research aims to inspire future investigations and foster deeper insights into the complexities of educational contexts.

Keywords

causal mechanisms
critical realism
epistemology
methodological pluralism
post-positivism
reflexivity
research paradigms

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review

International Journal of Changes in Education, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2025, 115-122

https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

Publication date: 26 May 2025

Article Views: 4

Article Downloads: 3

Open Access References How to cite this article

References

Chowdhury, R. (2019). Embarking on research in the social sciences: Understanding the foundational concepts. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 35(1), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4340
Semigina, T. (2020). Chy zavzhdy tsyfry mayut’ znachennya: Ohlyad paradyhm doslidzhennya u sotsial’niy roboti [Do numbers always matter: Review of research paradigms in social work]. Path of Science, 6(7), 3001–3011. https://doi.org/10.22178/pos.60-2
Rahman, M. M. (2023). Navigating the landscape of research paradigms: An overview and critique. International Journal of Educational Studies, 6(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.53935/2641533x.v6i1.252
Matta, C. (2022). Philosophical paradigms in qualitative research methods education: What is their pedagogical role? Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 66(6), 1049–1062. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2021.1958372
Holtz, P., & Odağ, Ö. (2020). Popper was not a positivist: Why critical rationalism could be an epistemology for qualitative as well as quantitative social scientific research. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 17(4), 541–564. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2018.1447622
Zhang, T. (2023). Critical realism: A critical evaluation. Social Epistemology, 37(1), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691728.2022.2080127
Huang, H. (2022). Reflections from research practice: Realism and its reality, coming to know this, and working out its mechanisms of socio-material change. Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 10(1), 57–93. https://doi.org/10.31273/eirj.v10i1.815
William, F. K. A. (2024). Delving into the principles and application of positivism in research: A guide for scholars. International Journal of Research Publications, 146(1), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.47119/IJRP1001461420246237
William, F. K. A. (2024). Interpretivism or constructivism: Navigating research paradigms in social science research. International Journal of Research Publications, 143(1), 134–138. https://doi.org/10.47119/IJRP1001431220246122
Saliya, C. A. (2023). Research philosophy: Paradigms, world views, perspectives, and theories. In C. A. Saliya (Ed.), Social research methodology and publishing results: A guide to non-native English speakers (pp. 35–51). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6859-3.ch004
Palermo, C., Redvers, N., Brandand, G., & Gordon, L. J. (2023). Introducing critical approaches in health professions education research. In C. Rees, L. Monrouxe, B. O’Brien, L. Gordon, & C. Palermo (Eds.), Foundations of health professions education research: Principles, perspectives and practices (pp. 145–163). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394322213.ch8
Anderson, K. G. (2023). The case for Bayesian SEM in critical realist studies. PhD Thesis, Gonzaga University.
Dong, D., & Dong, M. Y. (2024). Exploring the evolution of applied linguistics: A bibliometric survey of major research paradigms. In H. Meihami, & R. Esfandiari (Eds.), A scientometrics research perspective in applied linguistics (pp. 11–43). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51726-6_2
Knoblauch, H., & Pfadenhauer, M. (2023). Construction versus realism? The unrealized potential of communicative constructivism. Sociologica, 17(1), 119–136. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1971-8853/16725
Benbrahim, F. Z., Frichi, Y., Benabdelhadi, A., & Jawab, F. (2024). The qualitative exploratory study: A necessary prerequisite to the quantitative study. In B. Bentalha, & L. Alla (Eds.), Data collection and analysis in scientific qualitative research (pp. 57–86). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8689-7.ch003
King, D., & Wanigarathna, N. (2024). A critical review to establish an ontological and epistemological framework for evaluating variables in the sustainable construction of hyperscale data centres. In R. El Khoury (Ed.), Anticipating future business trends: Navigating artificial intelligence innovations (Vol. 2, pp. 107–117). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63402-4_9
Mercier, J., Sanders, J., & Munford, R. (2023). Fine companions: Critical realismand framework analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231220129. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231220129
Fryer, T., & Navarrete, C. (2024). A short guide to ontology and epistemology (Why everyone should be a realist). Retrieved from: https://tfryer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cr_shortguide_thirded_240820_minsize.pdf
William, F. K. A. (2024). Mastering validity and reliability in academic research: Meaning and significance. International Journal of Research Publications, 144(1), 287–292. https://doi.org/10.47119/IJRP1001441320246160
Archer, M., Bhaskar, R., Collier, A., Lawson, T., & Norrie, A. (2013). Critical realism: Essential readings. USA: Routledge.
Mukumbang, F. C. (2023). Retroductive theorizing: A contribution of critical realism to mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 17(1), 93–114. https://doi.org/10.1177/15586898211049847
Iannacci, F., Fearon, C., Kawalek, P., & Simeonova, B. (2023). Aligning the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) counterfactual approach with the practice of retroduction: Some preliminary insights. Information Systems Journal, 33(3), 467–485. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12409
Easton, G. (2010). Critical realism in case study research. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(1), 118–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2008.06.004
Gorski, P. S. (2018). After positivism: Critical realism and historical sociology. In T. Rutzou, & G. Steinmetz (Eds.), Critical realism, history, and philosophy in the social sciences (Vol. 34, pp. 23–45). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0198-871920180000034002
Archer, R. (2024). Retiring popper: Critical realism, falsificationism, and the crisis of replication. Theory & Psychology, 34(5), 561–584. https://doi.org/10.1177/09593543241250079
Manzano, A., & Williams, E. (2025). Introduction: The context of realist data collection. In A. Manzano, & E. Williams (Eds.) Realist evaluation: Principles and practice (pp. 1–10). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003457077-1
Kaul, N. (2002). A critical ‘post’ to critical realism. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 26(6), 709–726. https://doi.org/10.1093/cje/26.6.709
Groff, R. (2004). Critical realism, post-positivism and the possibility of knowledge. UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203417270
Maksimovi´c, J., & Evtimov, J. (2023). Positivism and postpositivism as the basis of quantitative research in pedagogy. Research in Pedagogy, 13(1), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.5937/IstrPed2301208M
Manian, A., Jamporazmey, M., & Sherkat, M. H. (2014). Positivism in information systems: Investigating paradox between theory and practice in IS researches. International Journal of Business Information Systems, 16(1), 72–88. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBIS.2014.060837
Belharar, O., Laamrani, B., & Chakor, A. (2023). Epistemological paradigms in the social sciences: A guide for researchers. International Journal of Global Community, 6(2), 229–244.
Boonmavichit, T. (2023). Exploring the potential of critical realism in futures studies. PhD Thesis, Chiang Mai University.
Shrestha, B. K., & Sharma, L. R. (2024). Discerning the distinctive characteristics of key research paradigms and their constituents. Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(2), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.3126/njmr.v7i2.68191
Gefen, D. (2019). The philosopher’s corner: A post-positivist answering back. Part 1: Good for you, Karl Popper! ACM SIGMIS Database: The DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems, 50(2), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3330472.3330475
Andreassen, Ø. S., & Doney, J. (2024). Tensions between inclusion and change in worldview education: Can Joe F. Kincheloe’s bricolage help teachers navigate them? British Journal of Religious Education, 46(2), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2023.2298311
Ryan, G. (2019). Postpositivist critical realism: Philosophy, methodology and method for nursing research. Nurse Researcher, 27(3), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr.2019.e1598
Bourne, P. A. (2024). Epistemology and education. International Journal of Transformation in English & Education, 9(1), 1–10.
Tripathi, K. P., Giri, S., & Tripathi, N. (2024). Post-positivism research paradigm and philosophical assumption of sport tourism. AWADHARANA, 8(1), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.3126/awadharana.v8i01.70098
Peter, S., & Park, L. S. C. (2018). Changing research methodology: Two case studies of critical realism informing social work doctoral research. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work Review, 30(1), 65–70. https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswjvol30iss1id426
Heeks, R., & Wall, P. J. (2018). Critical realism and ICT4D research. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 84(6), e12051. https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12051
Khatri, D. K. (2023). Research paradigms in English education: A brief overview. Surkhet Journal, 2(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.3126/surkhetj.v2i1.58744
Imran, H. (2024). Pragmatic critical realism and mixed methods in inter-disciplinary research—Management and information systems. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 12(03), 5953–5962. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v12i03.em01
Paudel, P. (2024). Examining paradigmatic shifts: Unveiling the philosophical foundations shaping social research methodologies. Journal of the University of Ruhuna, 12(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.4038/jur.v12i1.8033
Dzogovic, S. A., & Bajrami, V. (2023). Qualitative research methods in science and higher education. Human Research in Rehabilitation, 13(1), 156–166. https://doi.org/10.21554/hrr.042318
Dobson, P. J. (2012). Critical realism and IS research: Some methodological implications. In M. Mora-Tavarez, O Gelman-Muravchik, A. L. Steenkamp, & M. S. Raisinghani (Eds.), Research methodologies, innovations and philosophies in software systems engineering and information systems (pp. 63–81). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-0179-6.ch004
Kemp, S. (2005). Critical realism and the limits of philosophy. European Journal of Social Theory, 8(2), 171–191. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431005051762
Moore, A. R., & Kelly, D. M. (2024). Getting real about critical realist interviewing: Five principles to guide practice. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23, 16094069241299311. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069241299311
Rees, C. E., Crampton, P. E. S., Nguyenand, V. N. B., & Monrouxe, L. V. (2023). Introducing realist approaches in health professions education research. In C. E. Rees, L. V. Monrouxe, B. C. O’Brien, L. J. Gordon, & C. Palermo (Eds.), Foundations of health professions education research: Principles, perspectives and practices (pp. 102–121). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394322213.ch6
Willis, M. E. H. (2023). Critical realism and qualitative research in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 20(2), 265–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2022.2157782
Tsafe, A. K. (2024). Nexus between research paradigm and mathematics education: An expository analysis. Educational Point, 1(1), e104. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/14874

How to cite this article

APA

Kouam, A. W. F. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), 115-122. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

Vancouver

Kouam AWF. A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2):115-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

AMA

Kouam AWF. A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2), 115-122. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

Chicago

Kouam, Arthur William Fodouop. "A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research". International Journal of Changes in Education 2025 2 no. 2 (2025): 115-122. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

Harvard

Kouam, A. W. F. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), pp. 115-122. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338

MLA

Kouam, Arthur William Fodouop "A Systematic Literature Review of Post-Positivism and Critical Realism as Epistemological Frameworks in Educational Research". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 2, no. 2, 2025, pp. 115-122. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024338