‘The problem is the solution’: Original contribution to knowledge in the field of research methodology using phenomenographic epistemology and constructivist methodology and methods

This lecture focusses on the range of epistemological and methodological approaches available to the researcher and explains how these can be used to create an original contribution to knowledge in research methodology. Drawing on an example from PhD research, Crotty's epistemological framework is used to identify appropriate methodological approaches to collecting data on Initial Teacher Education lecturers' conceptualisations of online teaching. The challenges associated with this approach are shared along with a process for decoupling the non-dualist epistemology of traditional phenomenographic research. Finally, a new approach, constructivist phenomenography, is proposed based on a combination of constructivist epistemology and phenomenographic methodology and methods. The role of serendipity and pragmatic problem solving in an original contribution to knowledge is then discussed.