Appraisal of the philosophical paradigms and constructs in social analysis put forward by Ahiauzu and Asawo (2016) and Zeb-Obipi (2006)

Abstract

This paper evaluated the philosophical paradigms and constructs in social analysis put forward by Ahiauzu and Asawo (2016) and Zeb-Obipi (2006). Advanced Social Research Methods authored by Ahiauzu and Asawo (2016), addresses the philosophical underpinning of social research such as the fundamental intellectual traditions and the baseline social theories that guide social research. The book situates practical illustrations of research studies in Nigeria as a way of contextualizing research methods within the Nigerian sociocultural environment. A significant feature that makes this book unique is the practical application of social research with examples and cases that students can relate to. Significantly, the text introduces students to some of the basic Computer Assisted programmes for quantitative research (SPSS and LISREL) and Qualitative Research (Nvivo). This text is organized into eight chapters: Chapter one deals with the Basic Elements of the Theory and Philosophy of Knowledge; Chapter two handles Baseline Social Theories; Chapter three x-rays the Approaches to Social Research; Chapter four deals with the Fundamental Elements in Social Research; Chapter five treats the Social Research Process; Chapter six is for the Fieldwork and Data Management; Chapter seven handles Data Analysis and Reporting; and Chapter eight, which is adapted from The African Industrial Man (Ahiauzu, 1999), is the Type ‘A’ Method for Social Research in Africa. Zeb-Obipi’s (2006) paper titled “Analysis of Organisational Action: Types and Importance of Philosophical Constructs” posits that organizations and their actions constitute complex and dynamic phenomena; and this, coupled with the interest of management scholars and practitioners has led to the use of a diversity of analytic constructs. As more and more of such constructs are being advanced, old ones are being refined and/or used to offer fresh or additional perspectives; often resulting in competitive or contradictory frameworks and demanding for some form of mental cleaning or perceptual filtration occasionally. Zeb-Obipi’s (2006) presented filtration with respect to the philosophical constructs in terms of their philosophical analysis of organizations and organizational actions.