... scientific knowledge, which is used to explain the status quo and the social order. The key idea of functionalism is that the social world exists externally and that its properties should be measured through objective methods rather than been inferred subjectively through sensation (Esterbay-Smith et al. 1993). Following a functionalist epistemology, knowledge is not arrived at speculatively but is grounded firmly and exclusively in something that is scientifically observed by way of scientific method (Crotty 1998). The functionalist paradigm allows individual to understand realities through observation without being participants in the processes. This is an important aspect for our project, due to the limitations of our research experiences and time allotted. Methodology Our group has gathered primary information through observations within the university environment and interviews with three tutors. Any concluding support has been conducted by secondary data through research in books and journal material; also we used information from the ...

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