Research Methodology in the Human Sciences

Philosophical analysis, conceived as a qualitative research methodology, is not merely a choice but a logical prerequisite for validating the theoretical foundations across all sciences. This method serves a dual and essential function: it is simultaneously a tool for uncovering latent presuppositions and constructing robust arguments. The objective of this study is to elucidate this methodology and present its systematic representation to researchers. By adopting a descriptive-analytical and meta-synthetic approach, this paper addresses pivotal questions concerning the nature, process, and validity criteria of philosophical analysis. The findings reveal that the nature of this method is not that of a single school of thought but rather a rich analytical “toolbox” comprising conceptual, normative, phenomenological, and hermeneutic approaches. Its procedural framework is articulated in a systematic four-stage model—from problem formulation to argument construction—and its validity criteria are delineated, including coherence, clarity, comprehensiveness, and the innovative criterion of “analytical fidelity.” The two key contributions of this paper are: first, the definitive demarcation of “philosophical analysis” as a universal research method from “analytic philosophy” as a specific historical school; and second, its articulation as a foundational methodology and a prerequisite for achieving conceptual rigor in all scientific disciplines.