Constructing Knowledge within Social Constructivism Paradigm

Abstract

This article discusses  the ontology, epistemology, and methodology of social constructivism. In contrast to positivism, social constructivism takes on the view that reality is not out there waiting to be discovered. Rather, each individual creates,  intersubjectively, knowledge and reality about lives and things from day to day through interactions with others. Consequently, research of this nature seeks to uncover the world as it is experienced by members of a culture. In doing so it  gives voices to the lived experiences that have been marginalized by existing research within the system of knowledge.