The Ontological Imperative When Researching in the Digital Age.

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Title: The Ontological Imperative When Researching in the Digital Age.
Authors: Lynch, Tom Liam1 tom@tomliamlynch.com, Gerber, Hannah R.2
Source: International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches. 2018, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p112-123. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Research methodology, *Theory of knowledge, Digital technology, Medical research, Conceptual structures, Ontologies (Information retrieval)
Abstract: In this conceptual paper, the authors introduce the notion of an ontological imperative that researchers today must deeply consider when examining digital phenomena or using digital research tools. Making their argument within a mixed methods and multimethod framework, they draw heavily on the work of software theorists to argue that what it means to be digital is inherently unstable and that such instability makes both digital data and digital methods of research far less reliable than they first appear. One key claim is that failure to address the ontological imperative leads to epistemological instability wherein replicating studies with digital data and tools can be impossible. The authors respond by offering a 5-step methodological process to account for the ontology of the digital and, in doing so, strengthen researchers' epistemological claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches is the property of Dialectical Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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DbLabel: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: The Ontological Imperative When Researching in the Digital Age.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lynch%2C+Tom+Liam%22">Lynch, Tom Liam</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> tom@tomliamlynch.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gerber%2C+Hannah+R%2E%22">Gerber, Hannah R.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo>
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Theory+of+knowledge%22">Theory of knowledge</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+technology%22">Digital technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medical+research%22">Medical research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conceptual+structures%22">Conceptual structures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ontologies+%28Information+retrieval%29%22">Ontologies (Information retrieval)</searchLink>
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  Data: In this conceptual paper, the authors introduce the notion of an ontological imperative that researchers today must deeply consider when examining digital phenomena or using digital research tools. Making their argument within a mixed methods and multimethod framework, they draw heavily on the work of software theorists to argue that what it means to be digital is inherently unstable and that such instability makes both digital data and digital methods of research far less reliable than they first appear. One key claim is that failure to address the ontological imperative leads to epistemological instability wherein replicating studies with digital data and tools can be impossible. The authors respond by offering a 5-step methodological process to account for the ontology of the digital and, in doing so, strengthen researchers' epistemological claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches is the property of Dialectical Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.29034/ijmra.v10n1a7
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 12
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Theory of knowledge
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medical research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conceptual structures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ontologies (Information retrieval)
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      – TitleFull: The Ontological Imperative When Researching in the Digital Age.
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              Text: 2018
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