The Constructivist Credo Apr 2026

Lincoln and Guba maintain that the constructivist paradigm is fundamentally distinct from quantitative or scientific inquiry, though they acknowledge that mixed methods can add context. Context and Legacy

Establishing standards for "trustworthy" research, such as catalytic authenticity —the degree to which the research process fosters social action. Key Philosophies The Constructivist Credo

is a seminal text in social science research, primarily known as a 2013 book co-authored by Yvonna S. Lincoln and Egon G. Guba . It serves as a foundational "operating manual" for researchers working within the constructivist paradigm, distilled from the authors' decades of work in qualitative inquiry. Core Framework: The Conjectures Lincoln and Guba maintain that the constructivist paradigm

The Credo posits that reality is not "discovered" but is instead a "moving target" that is constantly reconstructed as new knowledge is acquired. Lincoln and Egon G

Emphasizing how meanings are developed through joint interaction and socialization.

The heart of the Credo consists of (propositional statements) designed to guide researchers in conducting systematic, ethical, and equitable social science inquiry. These are organized into 13 thematic sections, including:

Viewing truth as subjective and socially constructed rather than an objective reality.