INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

ISLAM, KNOWLEDGE AND CIVILIZATION

UNGS 2040
SEM 1, 2015/2016

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
FROM WESTERN PERSPECTIVES

NAME

: NURIN FATINI ABDUL GHANI

(1318254)

: NUR FARHANAH ZAINAL

(1310062)

SECTION

: 25

LECTURERS NAME

: DR. NORILLAH ABDULLAH

Table of Content

1.0

Introduction

2.0

Definitions of Methodology

3.0

Understanding Science

3.1

4.0

The Scientific Method

Western Methodology

4.1

Limitations of Western Methodology

4.2

Merits of Western Methodology

4.3

Impacts of Western Methodology

5.0

Conclusion

6.0

References

1.0 Introduction
According to Haque (2009), Western civilization is a danger to the continued existence of
man which leads to a lot ofconsequences towards individuals personality such as selfishness and
materialistic but in the same time, contributing a lot in theories and practices. This report will
clearly study on research methodology from the Western perspectives. Methodology is basically
performed after some views and observationsselected from the surrounding. Besides that,
methodology is also a process used to find the cause and purpose of the existence. For instance,
looking at the existence of tree, and wondering on how and why does the tree exists? Scientists
then constructa methodology and later on, they will find out the living purpose of the trees would
be to provide oxygen to human, for example. As a result, one could discover new findings and
distinguish truth from falsity. In this report,we will explain on the definitions of methodology,
understanding science, Western methodology with its limitations, merits and impacts and
lastly,close this discussion with a comprehensive conclusion.

2.0. Definitions of Methodology

Meanings of methodology could be differ according to different scholars. The Library
Congress defines methodology as something categorized under the category of Philosophy,
Psychology and Religion in its own classifications system. For example, in accounting and
statistical studies, researchers need to collect, organize, and analyze the numerical data obtained.
For social science, more procedures need to be followed, which are defining, studying the scopes
and problems, weighing and estimating procedures, standard errors and sampling techniques. In
the study of economy, it is important to validate the given statements, propositions and theories.
These techniques are definitely need to be applied by following the field of related studies.
On the other hand, there are two scholars who come up with the different ideas on the
meanings of methodology. Luoay Safi who is a scholar of Islam described methodology as the
field of scientific inquiry concerned with the examination of the methods used in the study of
natural and human phenomena. In the meanwhile, the western economist, Fritz Machlup defined
it as the study of the principles that guide students of any field of knowledge, and especially of

any branch of higher learning in deciding whether to accept or reject certain propositions as part
of the body of ordered knowledge generally or of their own discipline.

3.0 Understanding Science

Science is actually the assumption where facts might be existed. It is a withdrawal of
subjective opinions and individual beliefs. Subjective opinions is quite interrelated with
individual beliefs which means people will have different stance and beliefs, and scientists do not
want to apply this both because they found these two not applicable to their logic. In the relation
with science, researchers will organize facts into groups and it will be called a law or principle.
The designated hypothesis need to be validated along with sufficient amount of information.
Regularities need to be observed to decide whether to gather the data deductively or inductively.
By inductive reasoning, one will make a generalization based on their own experiment and
observation. Another example which is unscientific that can be easily related to this point is
about the congested traffic in Kuala Lumpur. Looking at how people got caught up in the traffic
jam on 8 a.m., one will start observe the next days that the result for the following days may be
the same as well. However, in deductive reasoning, one will apply logical arguments towards
their own study. For a different example from the referred book, all human will die; William is a
human, so William will die. This shows that they use a valid reasoning which is applicable with
the subject of their observation.

3.1 The Scientific Method

Next, there are basically eight (8) steps of methods in a scientific study. This scientific
method will first start with identifying the problem. Secondly, literatures which are relevant will
be located and studied. The third step is to devise a framework of observations and experiments.
After that, logical hypotheses will be formulated and scientists will select the simple and
satisfying one. Then, glean into the various implications and study its validity. If the problem is
still unexplained, other hypotheses need to be formulated and further test need to be done. If the
new hypothesis is successful, it is elevated to the status of law. The last step is the renewal of

procedure which will need to be applied when there will be new and unexplained observation
that cannot be solved by using the previous method.
Thomas Kuhn, who did his studies in science, determine that normal science is the
conduct of science within the framework of an accepted set of beliefs and practices. He also calls
this set as paradigm. Until the paradigm loses its power to explain and predict, revolutionary
science will next transform the paradigm to another paradigm. Revolutionary science is regarded
usually when any major conceptual jump occurs to begin to explain things. It is short-lived
because the scientists will adopt the revolutionary science and eventually it will become a part of
normal sciences.
On the other hand, another scholar, Hoodbhoy tries to argue that science should be
distinguished from other great human institutions such as religion, philosophy and art. For him,
religion is the existence of eternal and unchangeable truth while the wisdom in religion is existed
in the outset and cannot be accumulated. His points are basically saying that both domain cannot
be mixed. However, in Islam, we should not separate these two to determine the ultimate result
for our study. As a closest example, the rising of the sun in the west. Scientist will find out this
situation as something phenomenal and wonder but for us, Muslims, this is certainly related to
the major sign of Qiamah.

4.0 Western Methodology

According to Haque (2009), the West considered that the most effective method in
understanding a phenomenon is through experimentation. They denied knowledge which came
from revelation and only rely on reason as well as intellect in solving problems. They reject
revelation as the source of knowledge as they only accept something which can be proven or
identified by their senses. Metaphysical things cannot be recognized by their senses and it cannot
be proven, hence they do not believe in them.

4.1 Limitations of Western Methodology

There are 5 main limitations of Western methodology and one of them is the separation
between religious and scientific knowledge. This is wrong as we cannot separate religious truth
from science due to the fact that knowledge of the physical (science) rooted in the metaphysical.
For instance, the phenomena of sun rising in the west cannot be explained by the Western
scholars as they do not have the knowledge about that. Nevertheless, if we looked from the
Islamic view, the phenomena can be understood as one of the major signs for the End of the
World.
Next, materialism is also the limitation of Western methodology. The Western scholars
viewed the world as purposeless and believed that every individual on earth is selfish as we will
use any means to fulfill our selfish desires. For example, in trade and business, people will not
hesitate to cheat the customers, steal things from the shops or lie about the quality of their
product in order to gain profit or benefit on their side.
The other main point under limitations of the Western methodology is empiricism. Jafari
(1993) stated that the ultimate idea of empiricism is only accepting the evidence of the senses as
the best indicator to prove or disprove the existence of reality. In other words, they only believe
in something which can be recognized by their senses. Besides, other important essence of
empiricism is measurement and quantification of the sense data which is available to the
observer. Hence, if something cannot be confirmed by scientific observation and
experimentation, the thing must be doubtful and most likely false. Nevertheless, this ideology is
wrong. This is because there are many metaphysical things which cannot be measured or
identified by the senses which are real and true. The concept of rewards and sins are some of the
many examples under metaphysical things which have been rejected by the Western scholars.
Besides that, another limitations or Western methodology is positivism. It is an ideology
which holds strict adherence to the testimony of observation and experience. When there is a
data for the scholars to analyze, it is considered as a positive result. However, when there is no
data, it is viewed as negative result. For the positivist, their basic beliefs are worldly, secular,
anti-theological and anti-metaphysical. They only focus on the worldly life, separate the religion
from their daily life activities, reject the existence of one supreme being as well as the existence
of metaphysical things. As Muslims, we know that some truths are beyond quantitative
investigation and are true because Allah said so in the Quran. To name a few, the existence of

angels and devils as well as Paradise and Hell are just some of the things that are metaphysical
but true.
Last but not least, Western methodology is also limited because it only gives credibility to
sources which are approved by the sensory organs like eyes, mouth, ears, hands and nose. They
reject revelation because they cannot see God who revealed the knowledge. Hence, this also
makes their methodology limited and only applicable to limited things if compared with the
Islamic methodology.

4.2 Merits of Western Methodology

They are many contributions which we received from Western scholars in the field of
research methodology. First and foremost, they have come out with many theories which can
guide us when conducting a research or experiment. For example, they have established the
guidelines to be followed on how to be a good researcher and how to conduct a good
experiment.Secondly, the Western scholars have also developed variety of methods and
techniques to assist people in conducting a research. This is true as there are many techniques in
collecting data such as experiment, interview, survey, as well as reading materials. Next, a
systemic approach has also been developed by the Western scholars to aid people in conducting
researches. For instance, qualitative and quantitative methods are just some of them.
Apart from that, due to their strong financial, the Western scholars also succeeded in
developing new advanced facilities and instruments for conducting a research. Magnetic
Resonance Image (MRI) is one of the examples of the advanced technology used to scan the
head as well as body of human being in the field of medical research. Lastly, they also come out
with the notion of freedom of expression and access of information which are crucial for
conducting a research. Freedom of expression and access of information can be understood as
the right of every individual to express their opinions and ideas to the public, seek and collect
data from any source of knowledge and use as well as apply them in their studies or researches.

4.3 Impacts of Western Methodology

One of the impacts of Western methodology to their life is that they will not achieve
universal truth such as regarding the existence of the Supreme Being who governs this world as
well as the purpose of human beings on earth. This is because they believe that realities supposed
to be something which can be measured and quantified. As Muslims, we know that this is not
true. The limited Western methodology has hindered them from acquiring the true meaning of
life and the universal truth which has been accepted since the time of Prophet Adam a.s, the first
human being who was created by Allah. The West people do not achieve the highest level of
thinking which is known as tafakkur. Tafakkur is the process of deep thinking in which we
connect ourselves with our Creator. Since the Western scholars reject the metaphysical things,
they are unable to reach the highest stage of thinking. Therefore, they do not achieve the
universal truth.
From the explanation above, there are two examples which can further elaborate our
explanation above. Firstly, Muslims purpose of life is to attain the pleasure of Allah and we can
do so by obeying His orders and avoiding His prohibitions. Nevertheless, if we compared our
lives with the Western people, their aim of life only focuses on the worldly matter. They do not
believe in metaphysical things such as Allah and the concept of Rewards and Sins. Thus, they
will commit many wrongful acts as long as they get what they want most on life which may lead
them to steal of kill someone in order to become rich or powerful.
Secondly, when facing difficulties such as having chronic diseases such as cancer or
AIDS, we as Muslims believe that it is a test from Allah and it is one of the indications of Allahs
love towards us. Besides that, we can talk to Allah and pray to Him for assistance. Allah will
surely help His servant as He is the Most Merciful. However, for the West, when they faced such
difficulties, they might end up blaming themselves and others around them. They will become
very depressed as some problems cannot be settled by human. At the end, they might end up
killing themselves due to severe depression.
The next impact focuses on how human will be driven by greed as the result of the
Western thinking in the methodology. As explained in the limitation of Western methodology,
human will be attributed with materialism and will certainly lead towards the danger in human
institutions. For example, misusing drugs to increase their performance and productivity. Using
drugs can deteriorate our health and damage our body system overall. This definitely in contrast

with Islamic teachings. In Islam, we are encouraged to deliver our best effort and work hard in
doing our tasks along with Allahs pleasure and after that only we seek the help from Allah to
turn our efforts to a fruitful outcome.
Besides that, they also misuse other invention to disturb and harm others. We have
learned that the usage of Agent Orange which is a type of herbicide which was supposed to be
used for killing plant, on the other hand, the United States used it during their war with Vietnam.
According to TIME (2009), this seriously led to birth defects and cancer towards the Vietnamese
until now. Looking at how they suppressed the weak and poor people, this is totally relatable
with the fact that they are becoming selfish and materialistic minded.

5.0 Conclusion
As a conclusion, methodology has a lot of definitions and the categories may be differ
according to the field of studies. In science, scientific method is used while doing experiments
and procedures need to be followed one by one. Scholars have differentiated opinions in science.
One of them argued that science and other domains cannot be mixed. However, we found out
that, science should be associated with the elements of religion, to search for the satisfying result,
especially, in a phenomena such as the rising of the sun in the west as the major sign of the world
to come to an end.
All in all, Western methodology is very limited as it only accepts knowledge which can
be recognized by their senses. They reject revelation as the one of the sources of knowledge as it
comes from God, which cannot be identified by them. Thus, the Western methodology is not a
complete method to be used in investigating about the true realities in this world. These
limitations have prevented them to receive the universal truth regarding the realities of life.
Notwithstanding, they have contributed many good ideas in the field of research which
help the citizen of the whole world to conduct a good research and be a good researcher. For
instance, development of methods, techniques, guidelines, approaches as well facilities and
instruments are just some of them.

6.0 References
Haque, M., Sulaiman, K. U., Soualhi, B., &Ariff, S. (2009). Islam: knowledge and
civilization. IIUM Press.
Jafari, M. F. (1993). Counseling values and objectives: A comparison of western and Islamic
perspectives. American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, 10(3), 326-339.
Overland, M. A. (2009, December). Agent Orange Poisons New Generations in Vietnam. TIME.
Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1948084,00.html