4 - Research Philosophies 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 post-positivism – What is it?) Post positivism:

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

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 2. Descriptive research 3. Causal 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