Design decisions for research: strengthening congruence

This entry highlights the layered nature of research design, and the importance of distinguishing between conceptual foundations (ontology, epistemology, axiology, paradigms), organizing logics (research traditions, methodologies), and practical choices (methods). An analogy of planning a trip supports clarity: beginning with commitments to foundational knowledge about, and valuing of, specific destinations, followed by the logistics of choosing the type of trip and route, and finally making the practical, day-to-day choices. The analogy helps researchers avoid conflating conceptual levels while also recognizing that pluralism can enrich inquiry. Methodological congruence is introduced as important when aiming to ensure coherence and integrity across conceptual levels. This framing highlights how design choices in social work research are simultaneously philosophical, political, ethical, and practical.