Research Methods
4 - Research Philosophies
Lesson Objectives
• To examine alternative research
philosophies
• To examine alternative research approaches
• To consider the use of hypotheses
• To consider different types of research
Homework:
• Locate the dissertations in the Learning Centre and
read through some of the literature reviews – write
down some observations for discussion
• Read the ‘example of a literature review’ on Moodle
and note the process of writing a literature review
• Watch the literature review video on Moodle
• Construct a framework for your literature review, eg
what ideas and information will you include (these
should address your research objectives); can you
identify a structure for the literature review?
• NEXT LESSON: Research Philosophies
Where should I start?
•
Most of us think the main decision in
conducting research is which method to
use to collect data (research instrument)
•
Saunders et al (2003) argue that this is only
the final set of decisions after a more
fundamental one, i.e. the philosophical
position of the researcher – how s/he
believes that knowledge is revealed or
constructed
Philosophy
• The study of wisdom
• Careful thought about the fundamental
nature of the world, the grounds for
human knowledge, and the evaluation
of human conduct
Research Paradigms
Paradigms…
…are alternative philosophies and
assumptions about the nature of reality
(ontology) and the nature of knowledge
(epistemology)
in plain terms…
…views on what and how research
should be conducted and how results
should be interpreted (Bryman, 2015)
Ontology…..what is reality; the
nature of existence
Two alternative views:
Objectivists believe that
“Reality exists as an objective absolute:
facts are facts, independent of man's
feelings, wishes, hopes or fears”
Rand (1962)
Subjectivists believe that
concepts and values are determined by
personal feelings
Research Philosophies
• Your research philosophy depends on the
way you think about the development of
knowledge - epistemology
• Two views are:
– Positivism
– Interpretivism (Phenomenology)
(In social science you also have postpositivism – What is it?)
An example of an epistemology:
(1) Positivism
Here the focus is on the facts or causes
of social phenomena - relationships
between variables, sometimes termed :
• Scientific
• Objectivist
• Experimentalist
• Traditionalist
Your turn…
• For 5 minutes, research the
characteristics of the positivist
approach.
An example of an epistemology:
(2) Interpretativism
Here the focus is on the subjective meaning of social
phenomena, sometimes termed as…
•
•
•
•
Social constructionism
Subjectivist
Humanistic
Interpretive
The researcher seeks to understand the subjective
reality of those that they study in order to be able to
make sense of their motives, actions and interactions
which are meaningful
Your turn…
• For 5 minutes, research the
characteristics of interpretativism?
Relationship between
philosophies and research
• A DEDUCTIVE approach to research ‘fits’ the
positivist philosophy- it tests theory:
• Theory  research  findings
• An INDUCTIVE approach to research ‘fits’ the
interpretivist philosophy – it builds theory:
• Research  findings  theory
13
Your turn…
• In pairs and for 20 minutes research the
following:
– What is a hypothesis?
– What are its functions?
– How do you formulate a hypothesis?
– What research mainly uses a hypothesis?
The process of testing a hypothesis
Types of Research
1. Exploratory research
2. Descriptive research
3. Causal research
a study may have all three types…
they may follow each other
Your turn again…
• In pairs, please research the difference
between:
– Exploratory research
– Descriptive research
– Causal research
Why is the approach important?
• It enables you to take an informed decision about
your research design
• It will help you to think about the research approach
that will work for you, and those that will not.
• If you want to know why something is happening you
would use an inductive approach, rather than being
able to describe what is happening, when you
would use a deductive approach
• A knowledge of the different research approaches will
allow you to adapt your research design to cater for
any constraints
Which research approach should you
choose?
• What is the nature of your research? – is it:
– Descriptive
– Exploratory
– Causal
•
•
•
•
•
What you want to find out?
Are there theories to be tested?
Do you want to develop and understanding?
Do you want to prove something?
What are your beliefs about research?
Which approach should you use?
• If you believe the world can be investigated, reality
discovered, fixed facts found you are likely to be using a
deductive approach and quantitative research
• If you are exploring a problem or asking a question and
hoping to discover versions of results rather than just one
outcome (because you believe that knowledge is not fixed but
constructed) you are likely to be using an inductive approach
and qualitative research
Remember: A lot of social sciences research deals with a mixed
method approach, which is what you might use in your research.
Homework
• Consider which approach your are going to
use and explain why it is appropriate for your
research
• (This is the beginning of your methodology)
• Bryman and Bell Chapter 8&18
Further Reading
• Bell, J. (2010), 5th Edn Doing your Research
Project, Berkshire, McGraw-Hill
• Blaxter, L (2010) “How to Research”, 4th Edn,
Berkshire, McGraw-Hill
• Kumar, R. (2014) Research Methodology, 4th
ed. London, Sage
• Saunders et al (2009) Research Methods for
Business Students, 5th Edn, Harlow, Pearson
Education
• Wisker, G. (2009) The Undergraduate
Research Handbook, Hampshire, Palgrave