(HIMA PDIA NEWS) Surabaya – In order to strengthen the understanding of the non-positivist research paradigm among academics, the Accounting Science Doctoral Student Association (HIMA PDIA) Universitas Airlangga successfully held Tips, Tricks & Share Series 4 entitled “The Marriage of Senses in the Non-positivism Paradigm” on Thursday, June 26, 2025. This activity was carried out online via the Zoom platform, and was attended by doctoral students, young researchers, and alternative research methodology activists from various institutions in Indonesia.
The event, which ran from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM WIB, featured an inspiring speaker, Dr. Bonnie S., who invited participants to explore the relationship between sensory aspects and creative thinking within a non-positivist framework. She highlighted the importance of deeply understanding meaning in qualitative research and emphasized that research is not merely a technical procedure, but rather a spiritual and intellectual journey to understand complex and multi-layered realities.
Drawing on Pink's (2006) concept of "six senses" — design, story, empathy, symphony, play, and meaning — Dr. Bonnie emphasized that a non-positivistic approach is not just about method, but also about self-awareness, discernment, and the courage to interpret meaning subjectively. Approaches such as phenomenology, case studies, ethnography, discourse analysis, and spiritualism are also presented as research strategies capable of capturing contextual truth.
The discussion also debunked the myth that creativity in research is unique to a select few. Citing the views of Steve Jobs and Edward de Bono, the speakers emphasized the importance of "connecting the dots" and thinking backward to generate new syntheses in research. Research within this paradigm demands sensitivity, perseverance, and courage to uncover the deepest layers of social phenomena.
This activity provides a forum for reflection and enlightenment for participants preparing dissertations or participating in qualitative research projects. With the spirit of "one with the work," this event is expected to enrich researchers' perspectives on the importance of harmony between feeling, reason, and values in the process of seeking meaningful knowledge.
