paradigmalar

Paradigmlar, or paradigms, are shared frameworks of theories, methods, and standards that define how researchers in a field understand problems and judge evidence. They guide what questions are asked, what counts as valid data, and how results are interpreted, shaping the direction and methods of inquiry within a community.

Origin and core idea: The term paradigm was popularized by Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962). In Kuhn’s view, scientific progress occurs through periods of accumulated normal science within a prevailing paradigm, followed by disruptive paradigm shifts when anomalies accumulate and a new framework replaces the old one. This view emphasizes that what scientists consider legitimate problems and acceptable explanations can change fundamentally.

Applications across disciplines: In science, paradigmlar influence experimental design, modeling, and theory acceptance. Historical shifts include the move from geocentric to heliocentric astronomy and, later, the development of quantum mechanics and relativity, which redefined foundational assumptions. In the social sciences, research paradigms range from positivism to interpretivism and critical theory, each with distinct views on reality, knowledge, and values. In computing, programming paradigms—such as procedural, object-oriented, functional, and logic programming—shape how problems are structured and solved. In management and education, paradigms influence organizational theory, pedagogy, and assessment practices.

Criticism and nuance: Some scholars argue that Kuhn’s model overstates rupture and underplays continuity and incremental change. Modern discussions often acknowledge paradigmlar as plural and overlapping, with multiple frameworks coexisting and guiding different aspects of inquiry within a field.

Contemporary usage: The concept remains a useful shorthand for the dominant frames of reference that organize research, design, and policy across science, technology, and culture.