Pragmatic is a word that describes the ability to take into account the real world, not just theoretical assumptions. It’s what allows us to politely hedge a request, cleverly read between the lines, negotiate turn-taking norms in conversation, or navigate ambiguity in context. The term is often contrasted with semantics, which refers to the literal meaning of a word or phrase.
Choosing an overarching philosophical orientation early in the research design stage is critical to success in qualitative applied social research. In both our project examples, selecting pragmatism as the overarching philosophy of inquiry allowed us to develop a research agenda anchored in respondent experience and of practical relevance to case study NGOs from the outset. The pragmatist approach to research design also permitted flexibility in defining and framing research problems and methodologies, allowing us to adapt to changing circumstances without disadvantaging the validity of our findings.
A key tenet of pragmatism is the idea that reality is emergent, not a given. This allows pragmatist researchers to explore the dynamic nature of social phenomena, rather than seeking to discover an objective truth about them. Morgan (2014a) argues that pragmatism ‘rejects the notion that there is a fixed, unchanging world in favour of an understanding of the world as constantly evolving and changing’.
Pragmatism offers a unique framework for the iterative and collaborative process of research, evaluation and implementation. Its emphasis on actionable knowledge, rooted in the everyday experiences of respondents, and its iterative and contextual focus allow researchers to continually connect their research to the evolving practice of the NGO. The pragmatic approach to research and evaluation allows for an openness that is responsive to the ever-changing needs of NGO staff.
The use of pragmatism as a philosophical orientation has evolved over time. While pragmatists have generally agreed on the importance of addressing concrete concerns, they have differed on a range of issues including truth, realism, skepticism, perception, justification, fallibilism, conceptual schemes, and the function of philosophy.
Applying a pragmatic approach to research is not without its challenges. It may be difficult to avoid getting bogged down in philosophical questions and debates, particularly if you are researching or writing for a doctoral dissertation. However, in our view, it is a worthwhile endeavour for those who are time-bound and wish to produce new knowledge in the most effective way possible. It can be an excellent route to achieving a well-received PhD thesis.