3.1.1 Epistemology Epistemology refers to the concept which is concern about knowledge of a particular discipline.

Bryman & Bell (2007) state the Epistemology is the approach that a researcher or a philosopher will take in order to analyze a phenomenon or to find a truth. Choosing an epistemological base after a though philosophical discussions leads to the selection of an appropriate methodology (Bryman, 1984), and making the research work more technical sound and academically relevant. Epistemology questions not only the relationship between the knower and what is known, but also further tries to understand how do we know what we know and finally, on what counts as knowledge (Krauss, 2005). Epistemological assumptions are classified in two categories namely positivism and interpretivism (Bryman & Bell, 2007). According to Bryman & Bell (2007), Positivist Researcher the applied method of study which is related to the natural science to social reality and beyond, and that in Positivism, phenomena and knowledge confirmed by the senses. As Guba & Lincoln (1994) explained that positivism research views reality through a one way mirror where the researcher is removed from the object or phenomenon under study. Bryman & Bell (2007) claim that this technique is quite difficult because it covers lots of activities and that it is the scientific procedure that the researcher adopts to explain social phenomenon which means each study is based on hypothesis that tested by data gathered through a defined process. Whenever the research is the research is based on previous existing theories, once the hypothesis is tested, it can contribute to the development of knowledge and provide value free objectives (Bryman & Bell 2007). Another category of Epistemological assumptions known as the Interpretivism approach involves researchers studying social action with a position which includes Human behaviour (Bryman & Bell, 2007). The practitioners of Interpretivism assumes that people create and associate their own subjective and inter-subjective meanings as they interact with the world around them (Orlikowski & Baroudi, 1991). Bryman & Bel (2007) stated that Interpretivist researcher emphasis on the understanding of social action by studying the individuals factors such as organisations and social group. This study adopts a of Interpretivism

3.1.2 Ontology Guba & Lincoln, 1994 state that Ontological considerations answer the questions what is the form and nature of reality and therefore that can be known about it (Guba & Lincoln, 1994, p. 108). Bryman & Bell (2007) note that there are two different ontological approaches namely objectivism and constructionism Bryman & Bell (2007) explain that Objectivism implies that the social Entities have same set of values and customs and that it can be considered as an object with its own rules and regulations and that other actors may have influence on it by pressuring on it or interacting with it. On the other hand Bryman & Bell (2007) explain that Constructionism approach deals with social phenomena and categories which are not only produced through social

interaction but also in a constant state of revision. Constructionism approach believes that entities as continuously Changing as these entities are built by constant social interaction and are not Definitive, and thus there is a need for revision by the researcher. Bryman & Bell (2007) claim that knowledge is also evolving and is indeterminate and conclude that social entities such as culture are not external to people who compose it, rather part of the permanent construction and revision.

We have taken objectivist approach for our study because we have tried to find out the Integration of same values and customs which share some knowledge and resources. Additionally, we tried to understand a certain phenomenon at a certain period of time. Thus considering it to be continuously questions the necessity of the study as the phenomena will be changed soon enough. Considering the research topic as a constant occurrence at the certain point of time ensures the necessity of the study as well as confirms the presence of external factors.