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Paradigmatic issues

Paradigmatic issues. Positivist and critical/interpretive research Qualitative and quantitative research Induction and deduction Experimental and non-experimental research. Paradigm : a framework for looking at and understanding the world. Research Paradigms.

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Paradigmatic issues

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  1. Paradigmatic issues • Positivist and critical/interpretive research • Qualitative and quantitative research • Induction and deduction • Experimental and non-experimental research Paradigm: a framework for looking at and understanding the world

  2. Research Paradigms • Provide guidelines and principles concerning the way research is conducted • In the social sciences, rival, and sometimes complimentary paradigms coexist • Reflected in competing or alternative approaches • The two dominant paradigms are the positivist and interpretive approaches

  3. Positivist and critical/interpretive research • Positivist • Universal truths and laws • Researcher seeks objectivity/detachment • World to be researched is 'external' • Deductive, quantitative methods common - similar to natural science model • Critical/interpretive • Multiples realities • Researcher accepts subjectivity • Researcher engages with research subject • Inductive, qualitative methods common

  4. Qualitative and quantitative research • Quantitative • Involves numerical data • Often involves large numbers of cases • Seeks to generalise to whole population • Use of questionnaires, observations, secondary sources (e.g. sales date)

  5. Qualitative and quantitative research • Qualitative • Generally does not involve numerical data • Generally involves small numbers of cases • Findings typically not generalisable • Informal, unstructured in-depth interviews, participant observation (e.g. diaries)

  6. Inference – Induction & Deduction • Induction – “The process of drawing a conclusion in an empirical study by observing and generalising from a set of data.” • Deduction – “The process of drawing conclusions from other propositions or from data on the basis of logical reasoning.”

  7. Induction and deduction • Induction begins atAand moves to B then to point C • Deduction begins at C and moves to A then B

  8. Experimental and non-experimental research • Experimental • Research conducted in a controlled environment (eg. laboratory) • Researcher has control over a limited number of variables • Non-experimental • Research conducted in a 'real world' environment • Researcher has no control over many of the variables involved • Focus on relationships rather than causality

  9. Data Issues • Primary and secondary data • Self-reported and observed data

  10. Primary and secondary data • Primary • Data collected for the purposes of the research in hand • Researcher is primary user • Secondary • Data already collected by other researchers for other projects or for non-research (eg. administrative) purposes • Researcher is secondary user.

  11. Self-reported and observed data • Self-reported data • Research based on information provided by subjects - eg. in an interview • Includes self-reports of past, recent and intended behaviour (eg. Surveys, interviews) • Issue • Dependent on people responding honestly (and being ableto do so)

  12. Self-reported and observed data • Observed data • Research is based on observation of subjects' behaviour (eg. use of record sheets, financial transaction) • Issue • Dependent on being able to observe area of interest

  13. Range of research approaches • Scholarship – reading and reflecting • 'Just thinking‘ • Using the existing literature – see Chapter 4 • Using secondary data – see Chapters 5 & 12 • Observation – see Chapter 6 • Qualitative methods – see Chapters 7 & 15 • Questionnaire-based surveys – see Chapters 8 & 13 • The case study method – see Chapter 9 • Experimental methods – see Chapter 10 • Cross-cutting/subsidiary techniques – see below

  14. Cross-cutting/subsidiary techniques • Textual analysis – analysis of print and audio-visual materials • Longitudinal studies – replication of surveys etc. with same subjects over time • Panel surveys – a recruited sample responds to several surveys • Projective techniques – ‘what if’ questions • Use of scales – Likert-type scales re-used by a number of researchers • Meta-analysis – analysis of many studies on a single topic and with similar format conclusions (eg. correlation) • Action research – research committed to changing the world • Historical research – typically using documentary resources • Media-sponsored surveys – surveys responded to by readers/ viewers • Delphi technique – consolidation of views of experts

  15. Triangulation • Use of more than one method to focus on the same problem/issue/question • Use of both qualitative and quantitative methods at the same time - eg. Survey methods and Case study • Results of one method are essential for planning the next method - eg. Exploratory Pilot study precedes Experimental design • The methods used are often complementary (e.g. the weaknesses in one are offset by the strengths in the other)

  16. Choosing a method • Considerations in choosing a method • The research question or hypothesis • Previous research • Data availability/access • Resources • Time • Validity, reliability and generalisability • Ethics • Uses/users of the findings

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