2. Knowledge Claims: Approaches and Perspectives

The paper provides an overview of what, why and how of knowledge claims that are made during the course of research or as outcomes of research. The objective is to familiarize budding scholars with some key concepts, frameworks and salient features of knowledge claims as generally understood in the realm of the philosophy of science, with a view to bring about clarity on what is involved in the search for knowledge or intellectual endeavours of inquiry and its advancement and progress. It would be of immense value if such deeper issues and larger perspectives inform the researcher’s investigation, analysis and interpretation, contributing, in effect, towards enrichment of the overall quality of such research. In this attempt, the focus has been on the nature, basis, types and methodologies of knowledge claims.