Hi Caitlin, I’m glad you found the article helpful. I came up with value-aware and value-driven as terms myself to help distinguish the different types of axiology, but they are reflective of what the literature more broadly says about axiology. Here is the basic description as I conceptualise them:

Value-free: This is usually associated with positivism, where they believe all possible steps should be taken to minimise the researcher’s influence to allow objective observation of empirical evidence, since they are looking for universal laws of cause and effect.

Value-aware: This is usually associated with post-positivism, which still strives to reach objectivity, but also acknowledges that it is ultimately unobtainable because of people’s inherent limitations. As a result, they use strategies to be reflexive and critical of their influence on their research, with the ultimate aim of drawing ever closer to explaining ultimate truth.

Value-laden: This is associated with multiple paradigms (e.g., constructivism, interpretivism, etc.). Researchers with a value-laden axiology not only agree that humans have influence on the research but see this as an inherent strength. They would, for example, use their insider understanding of a particular context to better understand a participant’s interview comment, drawing on their own experiences as a strength.

Value-driven: This is associated with pragmatism as well as several non-canonical paradigms. In essence, these researchers believe that knowledge cannot be separated from who we are or what we care about. They use their values to drive what they research and how they research it, often with the goal of addressing a real-world problem with a practical solution.

In terms of a useful source for further reading, I find this one very good (you can access it through the Sage Research Methods Online database if you don’t have the book itself): Hiles, D., Heron, J., & Reason, P. (2008). Axiology. In The SAGE encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412963909.n31

Hi Lynette,

This article has been incredibly helpful as an introduction to research paradigms. Thank you for sharing it.

I was wondering whether you have any recommended reading on axiology, particularly regarding the understanding of research as value-free, value-aware, value-laden, or value-driven.

I am also curious about the terminology itself. Are these labels drawn from an established body of literature, or are they terms that you have developed to help describe the different positions within the debate?

Thanks so much in advance!!
Caitlin

You are very welcome! 🙂

You are very welcome, I’m glad you found it so useful!

You are very welcome – I am glad I could help! 🙂

I’m glad you found it so useful 🙂

You are very welcome 🙂