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Article

Knowledge Production in Critical Realism: Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Implications

Title and abstract are a translation · original language: Turkish

  1. 1 BURSA TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ
  2. 2 BAŞKENT ÜNİVERSİTESİ

Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Letters, Volume 43, Issue 1 (2025) pp. 345–359

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Abstract

This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific understanding. Critical realism's depth ontology, based on the distinction between empirical, actual, and real domains, proposes a stratified understanding of reality in which generative mechanisms operate independently of humans. Epistemologically, critical realism argues that knowledge production is conditioned by society, but that knowledge itself is not relative and can reach real causal mechanisms/structures. Methodologically, it emphasizes explanatory strategies such as abduction and retroduction to reveal the mechanisms that generate causal processes. Critical realism integrates these dimensions—ontological, epistemological, and methodological—with empirical research, distinguishing between intensive research that focuses on substantial-causal relations and extensive research that examines formal relations of similarity. Rejecting the conventional dichotomy between quantitative and qualitative methods, critical realism endorses the distinction between intensive and extensive research designs, viewing different designs not as rivals but as complementary approaches. It argues that research design should be chosen based on the nature of the phenomenon under investigation and that different designs may be combined. TIn this study, by addressing the aforementioned dimensions together, the broader meta-theoretical framework of critical realism is comprehensively examined, and although not exhaustive, its limitations are also highlighted. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, critical realism is not widely known in the national context, particularly with regard to research practices. This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific approach. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, has limited recognition in national contexts, especially regarding research practices. This work aims to increase the visibility of critical realism by contributing to the realist scientific discourse. In this regard, the fundamental principles and concepts of critical realism, as well as how it can be applied in concrete research, are presented. The study aims to establish a comprehensive realist scientific understanding by demonstrating how philosophical principles can be synthesized with theory and empirical research. In doing so, the study contributes to making critical realism more visible in both theoretical discussions and empirical research.

Abstract (Turkish)

Eleştirel Realizmde Bilgi Üretimi: Ontolojik, Epistemolojik ve Metodolojik İçerimler

Bu çalışmada bir bilim anlayışı olarak eleştirel realizmin ontolojik, epistemolojik ve metodolojik boyutları ele alınmaktadır. Eleştirel realizmin ampirik, aktüel ve reel alanlar arasındaki ayrımdan hareket eden derinlikli ontolojisi, insanlardan bağımsız bir biçimde işleyen üretken mekanizmaların olduğu tabakalaşmış bir gerçekliğin varlığını ileri sürmektedir. Eleştirel realizm epistemolojik olarak bilginin üretiminin toplum tarafından koşullandığını ama bilginin kendisinin göreli olmadığını ve gerçek nedensel mekanizmalara/yapılara ulaşılabileceğini savunmaktadır. Metodolojik olarak ise nedensel süreçleri üreten mekanizmaları ortaya çıkarmak için geri çıkarım ve tikeldengelim gibi açıklayıcı stratejilere önem vermektedir. Eleştirel realizm bu boyutları -ontolojik, epistemolojik ve metodolojik- ampirik araştırma ile eklemlemekte ve tözsel-nedensel ilişkilere odaklanan yoğun araştırma ile biçimsel benzerlik ilişkilerine odaklanan yaygın araştırma tasarımını birbirinden ayırmaktadır. Genel olarak nicel ve nitel olarak anılan yöntemsel ayrıma karşıt olarak yoğun ve yaygın araştırma ayrımını kabul eden eleştirel realizm, farklı araştırma tasarımlarını rakip olmaktan çok tamamlayıcı görmekte, araştırma tasarımının araştırılan olgunun doğasına göre seçilmesi gerektiğini ve farklı tasarımların birleştirilebileceğini savunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada söz konusu boyutların birlikte ele alınmasıyla eleştirel realizmin geniş ölçekli meta-teorik çerçevesi bütünlüklü olarak ele alınmakta ve kapsamlı olmamakla birlikte sınırlılıklarına da değinilmektedir. Pozitivizm ve inşacılık karşısında bir alternatif olan eleştirel realizmin ulusal bağlamda özellikle araştırma pratikleri konusunda bilinirliği oldukça sınırlıdır. Bu çalışma eleştirel realist bilimsel söyleme katkıda bulunarak bilinirliğini artırmaya yöneliktir. Bu doğrultuda eleştirel realizmin temel ilkeleri, kavramları, somut araştırmalarda nasıl kullanılabileceği sunulmaktadır. Felsefi ilkelerin teori ve ampirik araştırma ile sentezlenme biçiminin gösterilmesiyle kapsayıcı bir eleştirel realist bilim anlayışının ortaya konulması amaçlanmaktadır. Çalışma, bu yönüyle eleştirel realizmin hem kuramsal tartışmalarda hem de ampirik araştırmalarda daha görünür olmasına katkıda bulunmaktadır.

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References

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Cite this publication

APA 7

Koçaş, B., & Kırıkçıoğlu, D. (2025). Knowledge Production in Critical Realism: Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Implications. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Letters, 43(1), 345–359. https://doi.org/10.32600/huefd.1724911

BibTeX

@article{kocas2025knowledge,
  author = {Ko{\c{c}}a{\c{s}}, Berkan and K{\i}r{\i}k{\c{c}}{\i}o{\u{g}}lu, Duygu},
  title = {{Knowledge Production in Critical Realism: Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Implications}},
  journal = {Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Letters},
  volume = {43},
  number = {1},
  pages = {345--359},
  publisher = {Hacettepe {\"U}niversitesi},
  year = {2025},
  month = {6},
  issn = {1301-5737},
  doi = {10.32600/huefd.1724911},
  url = {https://hacettepe.hbtech.com.tr/en/publication/elestirel-realizmde-bilgi-uretimi-ontolojik-epistemolojik-ve-metodolojik-icerimler},
  language = {tr},
  keywords = {Sociological Methodology and Research Methods},
  abstract = {This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific understanding. Critical realism's depth ontology, based on the distinction between empirical, actual, and real domains, proposes a stratified understanding of reality in which generative mechanisms operate independently of humans. Epistemologically, critical realism argues that knowledge production is conditioned by society, but that knowledge itself is not relative and can reach real causal mechanisms/structures. Methodologically, it emphasizes explanatory strategies such as abduction and retroduction to reveal the mechanisms that generate causal processes. Critical realism integrates these dimensions---ontological, epistemological, and methodological---with empirical research, distinguishing between intensive research that focuses on substantial-causal relations and extensive research that examines formal relations of similarity. Rejecting the conventional dichotomy between quantitative and qualitative methods, critical realism endorses the distinction between intensive and extensive research designs, viewing different designs not as rivals but as complementary approaches. It argues that research design should be chosen based on the nature of the phenomenon under investigation and that different designs may be combined. TIn this study, by addressing the aforementioned dimensions together, the broader meta-theoretical framework of critical realism is comprehensively examined, and although not exhaustive, its limitations are also highlighted. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, critical realism is not widely known in the national context, particularly with regard to research practices. This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific approach. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, has limited recognition in national contexts, especially regarding research practices. This work aims to increase the visibility of critical realism by contributing to the realist scientific discourse. In this regard, the fundamental principles and concepts of critical realism, as well as how it can be applied in concrete research, are presented. The study aims to establish a comprehensive realist scientific understanding by demonstrating how philosophical principles can be synthesized with theory and empirical research. In doing so, the study contributes to making critical realism more visible in both theoretical discussions and empirical research.},
  affiliation = {BURSA TEKN{\.I}K {\"U}N{\.I}VERS{\.I}TES{\.I} and BA{\c{S}}KENT {\"U}N{\.I}VERS{\.I}TES{\.I}}
}
.bib

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Koçaş, Berkan
AU  - Kırıkçıoğlu, Duygu
TI  - Knowledge Production in Critical Realism: Ontological, Epistemological and Methodological Implications
T2  - Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Letters
VL  - 43
IS  - 1
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/06/23/
SP  - 345
EP  - 359
PB  - Hacettepe Üniversitesi
SN  - 1301-5737
DO  - 10.32600/huefd.1724911
UR  - https://hacettepe.hbtech.com.tr/en/publication/elestirel-realizmde-bilgi-uretimi-ontolojik-epistemolojik-ve-metodolojik-icerimler
AB  - This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific understanding. Critical realism's depth ontology, based on the distinction between empirical, actual, and real domains, proposes a stratified understanding of reality in which generative mechanisms operate independently of humans. Epistemologically, critical realism argues that knowledge production is conditioned by society, but that knowledge itself is not relative and can reach real causal mechanisms/structures. Methodologically, it emphasizes explanatory strategies such as abduction and retroduction to reveal the mechanisms that generate causal processes. Critical realism integrates these dimensions—ontological, epistemological, and methodological—with empirical research, distinguishing between intensive research that focuses on substantial-causal relations and extensive research that examines formal relations of similarity. Rejecting the conventional dichotomy between quantitative and qualitative methods, critical realism endorses the distinction between intensive and extensive research designs, viewing different designs not as rivals but as complementary approaches. It argues that research design should be chosen based on the nature of the phenomenon under investigation and that different designs may be combined. TIn this study, by addressing the aforementioned dimensions together, the broader meta-theoretical framework of critical realism is comprehensively examined, and although not exhaustive, its limitations are also highlighted. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, critical realism is not widely known in the national context, particularly with regard to research practices. This study addresses the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of critical realism as a scientific approach. As an alternative to positivism and constructivism, has limited recognition in national contexts, especially regarding research practices. This work aims to increase the visibility of critical realism by contributing to the realist scientific discourse. In this regard, the fundamental principles and concepts of critical realism, as well as how it can be applied in concrete research, are presented. The study aims to establish a comprehensive realist scientific understanding by demonstrating how philosophical principles can be synthesized with theory and empirical research. In doing so, the study contributes to making critical realism more visible in both theoretical discussions and empirical research.
KW  - Sociological Methodology and Research Methods
LA  - tr
AD  - BURSA TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ
AD  - BAŞKENT ÜNİVERSİTESİ
ER  -
.ris