Choosing a research approach Gizelle V. Carr, Ph.D. howard university

Point of review/clarification Research approaches – plans and the procedures for research that span specific steps 3 primary approaches Qualitative Quantitative Mixed methods Research designs – procedures for inquiry Research methods – specific data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods Research problem – issue being addressed

Quantitative research Tests objective theories Examines relationships among measurable variables Uses survey instruments that produce numbered data Uses statistical analysis of data generated Tests theories deductively Uses a set structure for the final report

Qualitative research Focuses on understanding meaning Uses emerging questions Collects data in participant’s setting Uses the an inductive approach to analysis Has a written report that is flexible in structure

Mixed methods research Collects both quantitative and qualitative data Integrates the two forms of data Uses distinct designs that may involve philosophy or theory Yields additional insight to a research problem

Maintaining the thread in research

Philosophical worldviews Beliefs about the world and nature of research Make explicit in proposal Four common worldviews: Postpositivism Constructivism Transformative Pragmatism

Aims of Four worldviews Postpositivism Constructivism Transformative Pragmatism Determinism Understanding Political Consequences of actions Reductionism Multiple participant meanings Power and justice oriented Problem-centered Empirical observation and measurement Social and historical construction Collaborative Pluralistic Theory verification Theory generation Change-oriented Real-world practice oriented

...Back to the thread

Corresponding research designs Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Methods Experimental Designs Narrative research Convergent Non-experimental designs (e.g. surveys) Phenomenology Explanatory sequential Longitudinal designs Grounded Theory Exploratory sequential Ethnographies Complex designs with embedded core designs Case Study

Criteria for selecting a research approach Quantitative approach is best when Identifying factors that influence a particular outcome Evaluating the utility of an intervention Understanding best predictors of an outcome

Criteria for selecting a research approach Qualitative approach is best when The topic is new The subject has not been addressed with a certain sample Existing theories do not apply

Criteria for selecting a research approach Mixed methods approach is best when: Neither quantitative nor qualitative approaches are adequate to understand a research problem The strength of qualitative and quantitative approaches provides the best understanding E.g., generalize findings and develop detailed view

Exploratory Methods you may want to consider You may be thinking... Type of Research Possible methods I don’t have a clear sense of my exact research problem/question yet or know what methods I should use! Exploratory Literature reviewing, interviews, case studies, focus groups, pilot studies, grounded theory I need to find out the background to an area and what is going on with a particular topic/issue/community

Descriptive methods you may want to consider You may be thinking... Type of Research Possible methods you could use I need to identify characteristics of a given population Descriptive Observation, case study, surveys/questionnaires What are these people/this community like?

Explanatory methods you may want to consider You may be thinking... Type of Research Possible methods I want to look at cause and effect relationships Causal Experiments, some qualitative methods* I’d like to look at similarities and differences of communities Comparative Cross-cultural Participatory Action Research experiments I want to prove or disprove something Hypothesis testing Experiments, interventions

Explanatory methods you may want to consider You may be thinking... Type of Research Possible methods I need a snapshot of a particular community, org, pop (sans intervention. Cross sectional Observation, diaries, surveys, interviews, physical measures (e.g. weight I want to see how people live without intervening Observational Ethnography, participant checklists, surveys, schedules I want to see how people change over time Longitudinal Observation, creative, and visual methods, diaries Experimental/Quasi-experimental

Take home points... Your question determines your approach Do not choose an approach because it is “sexy”. Root your question by clarifying your worldview. Maintain the thread and mind the gap.