The Pillars of Knowledge: An Integrated View of the Philosophical Foundations of Research
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This article addresses the complexity of philosophical foundations in research methodology, a recurring challenge for students and researchers in training. It proposes a clear and integrated conceptualization of ontology, epistemology, and axiology, essential pillars underlying the choice and justification of any research design. The study's main objective is to unravel how these philosophical dimensions are not mere abstractions but practical guides informing the understanding of reality, the generation of knowledge, and the role of values in research. The main research paradigms—positivist (and post-positivist), interpretivist, and critical—are described, detailing for each their ontological assumptions (the nature of reality), epistemological assumptions (the nature of knowledge and the subject-object relationship, including "ways of knowing" such as rationalism, empiricism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, and critical theories), and axiological assumptions (the role of values). Key findings suggest that an explicit articulation of these foundations promotes the internal coherence of the research process and strengthens the justification of methodological decisions. It is concluded that a rigorous understanding of these philosophical pillars is indispensable for the development of sound, ethical, and transparent research, offering a robust framework for methodological reflection and practice across various disciplines
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