Understanding Research Philosophy, Paradigm, and Design: The Polas Alignment Framework (PAF) for Methodological Coherence

Methodological coherence in social science research is frequently undermined by persistent confusion among research philosophy, paradigm, methodology, and design, leading to paradigm-design mismatch, inappropriate validation criteria, and recurring reviewer criticism. This study seeks to fill this gap through the development of an integrative conceptual framework that enhances clarity in alignment across critical methodological layers and supports the transparency and credibility of research design choices. Through a conceptual research lens, the paper synthesizes and integrates seminal literature on key constructs such as research philosophy, research paradigms, research methodology, research design, and standards of evidence to develop the Polas Alignment Framework (PAF). PAF formalises a coherence chain connecting philosophy-paradigm-methodology-methods-design-evidence, buttressed by empirically informed alignment rules, decision tools and paradigm specific examples. The framework demonstrates how methodological assumptions can be made explicit, thereby enhancing interpretive clarity and reviewer defensibility. PAF offers practical value for researchers, doctoral supervisors, and editors by providing a citable structure for methodological justification and coherent evaluation across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods research. The study contributes a named, reusable framework that integrates philosophical, methodological, evidentiary, and ethical alignment within a single conceptual model.