The paper presents a reflection on the metaphysical and epistemological assumptions of psychological research. It is divided into three parts. Firstly, it discusses the importance of philosophy for social research in general, emphasising research in psychology. Secondly, the main part of the article, a reflection is made on three specific points: what is the specificity of the object one is supposed to investigate and what is its metaphysical status?; what are the assumptions present in this specific investigative practice and what is implicated, what is carried along, in doing research; finally, a reflection is conducted on the language and the reality this language supposes. Then, it analyses the assumptions underlying the research object and practice. Finally, some research techniques are discussed, pointing to their advantages and shortcomings, having in mind the assumptions implicit in these instruments. The article ends with some considerations on ethics in research.
Metaphysical assumptions in research; epistemological assumptions in research; research techniques; ethics in research