Pragmatic is an epistemological framework that emphasizes the practical aspects of human knowledge and action. It recognizes that there are limitations on what humans can know and that, therefore, we must accept some uncertainty. It also views knowledge as dynamic and continually evolving, thereby avoiding the rigidity of other epistemological frameworks such as positivism and constructivism.
In research, pragmatism allows researchers to adapt their methods and approaches according to their respondents’ interests and agendas without risking the validity of their findings. For example, in Project examples 1 and 2, a pragmatic approach enabled the research team to include informal practices that staff did not discuss during interviews by using participant observation as an additional method of data collection. This flexibility also allows for a more nuanced understanding of ontological and epistemological issues than other research paradigms.
Moreover, a pragmatic perspective allows for a more fluid and flexible research design, which in turn fosters a greater sense of ownership of the results among participants. This is especially important for NGOs as they rely on their own internal processes to implement their work. For this reason, a pragmatist approach can help them identify and address potential challenges to their work, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their activities.
Another key aspect of a pragmatic framework is its ability to provide a more complete picture of organizational processes. This is because pragmatism can serve as an umbrella for different epistemological perspectives, such as ethnography, action research and phenomenology. This combination provides a broader view of the social world and how people interact with it.
A final advantage of a pragmatic approach is its focus on producing actionable knowledge that can improve the quality of an organization’s operations and programs. This is an important aspect for NGOs as they need to be able to make quick decisions and take action in order to meet their goals. Having a pragmatic mindset helps to ensure that they are able to do so by identifying the most important factors to consider when making decisions.
As a result, pragmatic individuals are able to navigate the uncertainties of life and find the best way to solve problems. This is because they are able to assess situations objectively and focus on finding solutions that can be implemented quickly and efficiently. This practicality can help organizations avoid wasting resources and achieve their goals sooner. To learn more about how a pragmatic approach can benefit your organization, contact us. We can walk you through our process and help you develop a customized training program. We’ll show you how to incorporate a pragmatic approach into your work and see immediate benefits.
