RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOOGY

Dr Rajshree Mootanah Department Computing & Technology Faculty of Science and Technology

INTRODUCTION Before researchers undertake any research activity, it is essential that they consider carefully an overall research strategy by considering as to which research community they feel they belong to, and that they know the epistemological, ethical and ontological assumptions of their research. Remenyi et al., 1998 This will help define the field of research and the tatics

Assumptions - Table 1
Ontology Whether the subject of investigation is the product of consciousness (nominalism) or whether it exists independently (realism). Whether humans interact creatively with the environment (voluntarism) or whether they are passive objects (determinism). Nomothetic or ideographic approaches to evidence collection

Epistemology What our grounds of knowledge are. Human nature Methodology

Remenyi et al., 1998;

The Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms

Quantitative Ontological asumption We can determine the way things are and the cause effect relations Qualitative Realities are constructed by social actors and are relative. No reality is considered more true than any other.

Epistemological The investigator and the assumption object are independent from each other. The object can be researched without being influenced by the researcher.

The researcher interacts with the object of research and can affect that object. Findings are created through interaction between researcher and researched

Remenyi et al., 1998;

The Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms

Quantitative Methodological assumption The most prevalent methods used include experiments, quasi-experiments, hypothesis-testing techniques. Meaningful phenomena variables are accurately measured. Qualitative The meaning of the social actors can only be discovered through close interaction between the researcher and respondents. Longterm observations, in-depth interviews, content analysis of documents.

Remenyi et al., 1998;

The Quantitative and Qualitative Paradigms

Quantitative Axiological assumption Values are excluded from the research process. They are considered confounding variables-phenomena that cloud our view of reality. Qualitative Values have a priviledged position. The researcher is not reluctant to be openly passionate about pursuing the project.

Rhetorical assumption

The research is written from The research is often written in the perspective of the disinterested 1st person, indicating an involved or scientist. Mathematical passionate investigator.

Remenyi et al., 1998;

Comparison between positivism and phenomenology Burrell and Morgan(1979) argue that the four dimensions outlined in Table 1 inform radically different frames or paradigms. They indicate that there are discernible differences among research approaches based upon different permutations of the four factors. A paradigm denotes a common perspective which underpins the work of a group of theorists in such a manner that it identifies them as analysing social issues in the same way (Kuhn, 1962; Morgan, 1980).

Key features of positivist and phenomenological paradigms

Positivist Basic Beliefs: World is external and objective. Observer is independent. Science is value-free. Focus on facts. Look for causalities an fundamental laws. Reduce phenomena to simplest elements. Formulate and test hypotheses. Operationalise concepts so that they can be measured. Use multiple methods to establish different views of phenomena. Phenomenological World is socially constructed and subjective. Observer is part of what is observed. Science is driven by human interest. Focus on meanings. Try and understand what is happening. Look at totality of each situation. Develop ideas through induction of evidence. Small samples investigated in depth or over time.
Easterby-Smith et al., 1991: 27

Researchers should:

Preferred methods:

Deciding on research strategy

Assumption Ontological assumption Epistemologic al Assumption Axiological Assumption Question What is the nature of reality? What is the relationship of the researcher to the researched? What is the role of values? Quantitative Reality is ojective and singular. Researcher is independent from being researched. Value-free and unbiased. Qualitative Reality is subjective and multiple as seen by participants in a study. Researcher interacts with that being researched. Value-laden and biased.

Based on Firestone, 1987; Guba and Lincoln, 1988; McCracken, 1988

Deciding on research strategy

Assumption Rhetorical assumption Question What is the language of research? Quantitative Formal. Set on based definition. Impersonal voice; Use of acceptable quantitative words Deductive process. Cause and effect. Static design. Categories isolated before study. Context free. Generalisations leading to prediction, explanation and understanding. Accurate and reliable through validity and reliability. Qualitative Informal. Evolving decisions. Personal voice. Accepted qualitative words. Inductive process. Emerging design-categories identified during research process. Context-bound. Patterns, theories develop for understanding. Accurate and reliable through verification.

Methodological What is the Assumption process of research?

Based on Firestone, 1987; Guba and Lincoln, 1988; McCracken, 1988

Deduction and induction Deductive approach: Theory Hypothesis Observation Confirmation

Inductive approach: Observation

Pattern

Tentative Hypothesis

Theory

Matching research questions with strategy

Purpose of study Research Question Research Strategy Evidence Collection

Exploratory: To investigate little understood phenomena. Identify important variables and generate hypotheses for further research

What is happening in this social programme? What are the salient themes, patterns, categories in participants meaning structures? How are patterns linked with one another?

Case study Field study Ethnography

Participation Observation In-depth interviewing Elite interviewing

Matching research questions with strategy

Purpose of study Research Question Research Strategy Evidence Collection

Explanatory: To explain the forces causing the phenomenon in question. Identify plausible causal networks shaping the phenomenon.

What events, beliefs, attitudes, policies are shaping this phenomenon? How do these interact to result in the phenomenon?

Field study Multi-case study History Ethnography

Participant observation In-depth interviewing Survey questionnaire Document analysis

Matching research questions with strategy

Purpose of study Research Question Research Strategy Evidence Collection

Descriptive: To document the phenomenon of interest.

What are the salient behaviours, events, beliefs, attitudes, structures, processes occurring in this phenomenon?

Field study Case study Ethnography

Participant observation In-depth interviewing Survey questionnaire Document analysis

Matching research questions with strategy

Purpose of study Research Question Research Strategy Evidence Collection

Predictive: To predict the outcomes of the phenomenon; to forecast the events and behaviours resulting from the phenomenon.

What will occur as a result of this phenomenon? Who will be affected and in what ways?

Experiment Quasiexperiment

Survey questionnaire (large sample) Kinesics / proxemics Content analysis

Triangulation
Triangulation is the use of different methods of data collection to lead to greater validity and reliability of findings (Denzin, 1970). Triangulation can overcome the potential bias and sterility of a single-method approach (Hussey and Hussey, 1997:74). Qualitative data has to be collected in a thorough and rigorous manner in order to ensure the internal validity of the study and to increase its external validity when generalising research findings.