Analysis tool or research methodology? Is there an epistemology for patterns?

Dixon, Dan

Abstract

This chapter seeks to outline some of the issues and possibilities around using patterns as an epistemological construct. The main argument is that the study and use of patterns has has been successful in interventionist or normative tyipes of inquiry, namely design and action research. In these situations, due to the contextual nature of the knowledge, value judgements in relationship to their utility can be made rather than truth judgements on the nature of patterns. Based on this theoretical background, patterns can be justified as part of the process of inquiry of any type of research, but not by themselves as an ends; they are process not product.

• Publication Date: Feb 7, 2012
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 2, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Understanding Digital Humanities
• ISBN: 9780230292642
• Keywords: digital humanities, research methodology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/949885
• Publisher URL: http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=493310
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Dixon, D., Analysis tool or research methodology? Is there an epistemology for patterns?, 2012, Palgrave Macmillan, reproduced with permission of Palgrave Macmillan. This extract is taken from the author's original manuscript and has not been edited. The definitive version of this piece may be found in Understanding Digital Humanities edited by David M. Berry which can be accessed from www.palgrave.com
• Contract Date: Dec 2, 2016