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Pluralism as a Vehicle for Theory-building in Educational Technology Research

Theory and Method in Higher Education Research

ISBN: 978-1-83867-842-5, eISBN: 978-1-83867-841-8

Publication date: 7 October 2019

Abstract

The chapter addresses the challenges of research into educational technology in the context of higher education and of theory-building in this field afforded by singular research methods and philosophies. Using an exemplar case study, the authors argue for the adoption of pluralism to facilitate deep exploration of complex social phenomena. Pluralism is conceptualized by distinguishing between methodological, analytical, and philosophical pluralism. In addition, arguments for and against pluralism are advanced. The chapter concludes with step-by-step proposals for engaging pluralism in higher education research studies.

Keywords

Citation

Strydom, S. and Fourie-Malherbe, M. (2019), "Pluralism as a Vehicle for Theory-building in Educational Technology Research", Theory and Method in Higher Education Research (Theory and Method in Higher Education Research, Vol. 5), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 173-191. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2056-375220190000005011

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019 Emerald Publishing Limited