Epistemology is ‘a way of understanding and explaining how we know what we know’, (Crotty,2003:3). Ontology, epistemology, positivism and interpretivism are concepts dreaded by many, especially when it comes to discussing them in a research paper or assingment Here I explain each one, as well as their relationship to each other. Epistemology often involves a debate between empiricism and rationalism, in which the former claims knowledge can only be gained through experience whereas the latter believes that knowledge can be acquired through reason alone. When we ask deep questions about "what is the nature of the universe?" In light of the question for this discussion thread, a research paradigm is the accepted way of doing science by a scientific community at a particular time---stemming from ontology and epistemology. 78 . In other words addressing the question: What is existence? Epistemology vs. Ontology. Epistemology is the study of knowledge, whereas ontology is the study of existence. Ontology: The branch of metaphysics (philosophy concerning the overall nature of what things are) is concerned with identifying, in the most general terms, the kinds of things that actually exist. Ontology is a type of metaphysics. Moral ontology is the study of the metaphysical nature of good and bad (moral values) and right and wrong (moral duties), and whether these things really exist. and What is the nature of existence? Simply put, ontology relates to the assumptions we make about the nature of reality, epistemology sets out beliefs about how one might discover knowledge about that reality and methodology specifies the tools and techniques that we use in the conduct of our research. The Ontology-Epistemology Divide: A Case Study in Medical Terminology. Critically, these three words form relationships to each other. Order: Order. Results for 'ontology vs. epistemology' (try it on Scholar) 998 found. OIivier Bodenreider, Barry Smith & Anita Burgun - 2004 - In Achille Varzi & Laure Vieu (eds. Many people who responded to my critique also seemed to lack clarity in terms of moral philosophy, specifically on this issue or ontology vs epistemology. Ontology, however, does deal with some pretty important questions. Options 1 filter applied . So, allow me to explain. Both ontology and epistemology are branches of philosophy. It’s one of the most abstract branches of philosophy. Ontology and Epistemology . Ontology raises questions about what exists, what kinds of things exist, and what it means for something to exist. Epistemology is also ‘concerned with providing a philosophical grounding for deciding what kinds of knowledge are possible and how we can ensure that they are both adequate and legitimate.’ (Maynard, 1994:10) in Crotty, Ibid, 8).