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Research philosophy
Study and research philosophy
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PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS The main research paradigms on how study should be conducted come from two broad schools of thought. Both represent different set of strategies that helps people learn about the real-world around us. These distinctive approaches of research are commonly categorised into two types: qualitative and quantitative. Earlier article (University of Paisley 1997) defined approaches to research primitively using these two simplest words helped presenting a good contrast between differing schools of thought. If in a research the emphasis of data collection is on the quality rather than the quantity, it is qualitative. However, when the research is of “quantitative orientation”, data collection focuses on some form of factual relationship. Qualitative research Using humanistic approach, this is a way of applying subjective component of the search for knowledge (Speziale & Carpenter 2007). With qualitative method, the researcher collects data in the form of words through which people normally explore meaning. This approach acquires knowledge from the perspective of the subject, not about the researcher perspective. It concerns primarily with explaining, interpreting and understanding how people see the world. Such approach develops the inductive research. When the knowledge is derived inductively using qualitative research strategies, it focuses on the client as human being and is regarded as so important from health care perspective (Cluett & Bluff 2006). Inductive research contributes to generation of new theory from an observed event rather than to test existing ideas. Qualitative research approach fits well to raise issues and increase people awareness on area of intere... ... middle of paper ... ...determine what the explicit question is, know how best to answer the question via an approach of induction or deduction and relay them accordingly to a suitable design. There should be rationale for each stage of the study. Data collection tools used must be appropriate to answer the research question or objectives. Data analysis and interpretation must be transparent. Bias should be reduced as much as possible. The researcher must address all the ethical principles. Both qualitative and quantitative methods have differential strengths and weaknesses. It is important to understand that no single paradigm will tackle all the questions. Both qualitative-based and theory-based research methods serve together to achieve better understanding of human world. Developing a research study is like doing a jigsaw. The component parts need to be viewed and then they must
Qualitative research methods are divided into five major types of research which are: phenomenology, ethnography, case study research, grounded theory and historical research. Each of these methods are similar as they are each qualitative approaches, however, there are distinct characteristics associated with each type of research.
Descriptive and non-experimental research is very relevant in the sciences, although many people may not understand that. Non-experimental research can come in two forms; a quantitative study, or a qualitative study. A quantitative study can include research methods such as interviews, questionnaires, surveys and/or psychological tests (Smythe, 2014). A qualitative study can include research methods including qualitative interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research and/or historical research (Smythe, 2014). Both methods of non-experimental research are beneficial in the world of science or psychology as they can both produce new knowledge.
Methods used in psychological research are used to obtain quantitative or qualitative data. Quantitative data is more often than not derived from methods such as experiments and statistics analysing data using surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data tends not to be aimed at finding exact measurements in its findings, but is more concerned with evidence collection and analysis through practices such as observation and ethnography (using observations through involvement in activities over a period of time) (Brownlow 2011).
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
The term methods refers to the ways in which researchers collect data to build their argument. All empirical research, regardless of whether it is considered to be qualitative (QUAL), quantitative (QUAN), or both, as in mixed mode research (MMR), include a discussion of research methodology (Schensul, 2008b). Most qualitative research refer to the constituent components of research methodology; guiding paradigms, aspects of research design, definitions of terminology, methods of data collection, and analysis and dissemination. Theory is extremely important in providing the initial arguments for the study, framing its formative conceptual model, and guiding directions in data collection and
Quantitative and qualitative research methods are the two central methods for conducting research. Although there are both advantages and disadvantages to each of these research methods, many researchers decide to merely utilize one of the methods, without exploring the other method at all. This is a problem as these researchers only get to analyze their research from one point of view rather than from differing points of view. In other words, these researchers will solely rely on numbers and statistics or solely rely on interviews and observations. The researchers Bonta and Gendreau are open to utilizing both research methods, however, instead of simply using quantitative research methods. Conversely, the researchers Roberts and Jackson are
At every stage in a research, researcher’s makes assumptions about human knowledge and the nature of realities they encounter. The assumptions of the researcher world view will underpin or shape the research question, strategy and the methodology (Crotty, 1998; Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill, 2012). Research is a systematic investigation, an inquiry whereby data are collected, analysed and interpreted in an effort to understand or describe a phenomenon (Burns, 1977 cited in Mackenzie & Knipe, 2006).
Research can be divided into two approaches which are qualitative and quantitative research. Aliaga and Gunderson (2000) define quantitative research as “Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods.” This is usually done using statistics. Quantitative metho...
Data collection methods vary from observations to interviews. As previously mentioned, the methods of data collection compel the presence of the researcher. In numerous instances, the data to be collected is centered on the modus in which the researcher can analyze the data (Bryman, 2006). Hence, the role of the researcher cannot be relegated in a qualitative study.
Traditional research may use quantitative or qualitative research method. According to Hendricks (2009), quantitative research is a general conclusion based on hard data. Hen-dricks describe quantitativ...
Research is systematic way to find out facts and knowledge as Kothari (2006) has analyzed that research is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment; the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. However there are two types of researches one is by Purpose and other is by method. The type by purpose falls into three categorize such as Basic, Applied and Action Research.
This chapter is about to determine how the study was conducted for the study results that can be obtained more accurately in the process of analyzing the information. A methodology may be selected from a variety of research designs thought to have compatibility to achieve and fulfil the goals and needs of the study. The methodological approaches that have been chosen also the tools used in order to get information are determined. There are a few parts in this chapter that include the framework, research method; research subjects include the sample, population and sampling, data collection method, questionnaires design and also the data analysis.
In chapter one quantitative research and qualitative research is discussed. Quantitative research is collecting data that is in forms of numbers or is converted into numbers. This type of research would be conducted through tests rating scores, etc. There are four different types of studies that could result in quantitative research. Descriptive studies is when it enables researchers to draw conclusions about the current state of affairs regarding issues, but not about correlation or cause –and- effect relationship. This describes a situation that gives information about characteristics of students, teachers, and schools (Ellis, 2013, p. 6). Correlational studies is research that explores possible associations among two or more variables.
It is important that researchers are knowledgeable of the qualitative research methodologies in order to select the most appropriate to investigate their problem of interest, and thereby selecting the most appropriate data collection methods that will aptly produce the richest data for analysis.
Striating from the research idea to the culmination of the findings, the research process entails many segments, all of which are imperative. By choosing the research methodology, the researchers can formulate the path to be used in conducting the study and reporting the findings. The methodology helps in the search of literature, development of research questions and the creation of the most suitable study design. It also assists in the interpretation of the results and the publication of the findings in journals.