Basic assumptions of Objectivism vs. Subjectivism
What is ontology? The study of being - assumptions on nature of reality. How it exists, is organized and works.
What is epistemology? It examines the nature of knowledge. How do we know? How is knowledge derived? How it is to be validated and Tested? What are the limits of understanding?
What is metaphysics? It deals with ontology and epistemology. It is concerned with the nature and origin of existence and of mind, the interaction between them, the meaning of time and space, causation, determinism and free will, personality and self, arguments for the belief in god, and human immortality. Most maintain no certain knowledge of metaphysical questions is possible.
What is methodology? The are techniques for acquiring knowledge.
Most philosophers and students of science agree that ontological and epistemological assumptions underpin which methodology a researcher believes to be better than another and dictate which techniques are appropriate in studying a problem. The camps generally identified by sociologists are:


Positivism-Objectivism-Quantitative -Single reality. It exists independent of the observer (subject-object split).
-Reality is experienced through the senses, catalogue by the mind, and measurable either direct or indirectly.
-Researcher may engage the world in a value-neutral manner (objectivity).
-Knowledge may be built cumulatively following scientific canons emphasize observation, reliability in measurement and analysis, and confirm or refute hypotheses logically derived from theory.
-Theory is cumulative. It embodies the explanatory principles, empirical laws on how classes of events and processes work across time and space (universals). It allows us to prediction how reality works.
-Emphasis is explanation and control.
 Idealism-Subjectivism-Qualitative -Multiple realities. They are symbolically constructed and meaning is observer dependent.
-Social reality is engaged through cognition and organized in memory.
-Researcher engages the world in a value-laden manner (subjectively).
-Understanding is possible by dint of people’s ability to exercise empathy.
-Knowledge is based on observation. Theory is situationally and historically specific to a given social context. A statement describes how an event or process works (particularistic).
-Emphasis is discovery.
For a discussion of discovery, see Augustine Brannigan. The social basis of scientific discoveries. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 1981.

Bryman-

What does Bryman emphasize as important--epistemology or technique? Technique-divisions are made on the basis of research strategy, personal preference, training, and topics of investigation.

Technical issues bespeak the consideration of superiority or appropriateness of methods of research in relation to one another (p. 75)

Methodology refers to epistemological position; method and technique refer to ways of gathering data.

(As new subject-matter and disciplines (or sub-disciplines) arise, they grapple with the issues-what is the nature of the subject-matter (ontology), what is the most appropriate methodology (epistemological), hence the most appropriate technique?)

What terms are invoked to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative approaches? P. 77

positivistic-naturalistic; empiricist-interpretivist; quantitative-constructivist.

What is meant by Kuhn ‘incommensurable? One paradigm replaces another , as it is better than the original. Issue that divides camps is not "better than" an epistemological notion, but rather "more appropriate" the notion that problem determines technique to be used p. 77

NB This theme of "appropriateness" is repeatedly addressed under the rubric of "pragmatic utility" of knowledge produced.

Is the label meaning or spurious --quantitative versus qualitative? No-both count.

What does Bryman mean by sensitivity? See p. 82 also aside in my marginalia on p 83.

What does Bryman say about qualitative research is a precursor to quantitative research? P. 84.

Epistemological no reason to a priori assume one technique is "better than" other. Not a science as should be issue but rather what scientists do.

What is meant by triangulation? Is there a single reality? If scientists claim both techniques work, neither camp may make a claim for incommensurability.

What does Bryman say about language in use?