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18.6: Which researchers have meta-theories?

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    9369
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    All researchers have meta-theories. However, these assumptions are usually implicit and unacknowledged, and researchers are often unaware of the assumptions that are built into their thinking and the theories they are using. Typically researchers think that their assumptions are self-evident truths. Meta-theories are not typically cold cognitions or beliefs. They are often deeply held convictions that researchers will fiercely defend. Researchers are typically convinced that their assumptions are right and everyone else’s are wrong.

    As pointed out by Reese and Overton (1970), researchers holding different meta-theories can have difficulty communicating with each other. Since they are asking different questions and using different truth criteria for research, they often argue past each other or misunderstand each other. One group of researchers will offer what they consider to be irrefutable proof of their ideas, which other researchers then dismiss as irrelevant. Discrepancies, inconsistencies, arguments, and furor often characterize an area of study in which researchers from multiple meta-theories are working.

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