1. Dr. John V. Richardson, Professor UCLA GSE&IS DIS
UCLA DIS 280
Social Science Research Methodology:
Methodological Orientations
Dr. John V. Richardson, Professor
UCLA GSE&IS DIS

2. Method Orientations Qualitative vs. (and/or) Quantitative Research
“Focus of Research and Philosophical Roots; Associated phrases; Goal of investigation; Design characteristics; Setting and Sample; Data Collection; and Mode of Analysis and Findings”
Positivism and Naturalist Axioms
Functions of the Method Section
Outlining, Detailing, Operationalizing, Analyzing, Organizing, and Qualifying

3. The Quals versus the Quants
Today, LIS researchers and students can be divided into two camps:
qualitative researchers as opposed to
quantitative researchers
Source: Altman, LISR (1991), chapter 9

4. The Quals 19th Century Concept of Research: Enumerative Bibliography
Rigorous, Systematic
Descriptive/Analytical Bibliography (Bowers)

5. The Quants Pierce Butler, Introduction to Library Science (1933)
Sociological, Psychological, and Historical Problems
Douglas Waples, Investigating Library Problems (1939)
Problem, Definitions of Terms, External Validity, Rules of Evidence
SOURCE: Richardson, Spirit of Inquiry (1981)

6. The Quals Challenge Thompson, “Do We Need a Library Science?” (1931)
Butler, “Librarianship as a Profession” (1951)
SOURCE: Richardson, Gospel of Scholarship (1992)

7. The Debate Continues
1960’s, computer revolution, inferential statistics
1970’s and 1980’s, sophisticated techniques; pseudo-science, scientism;
1990’s reaction--humanities orientation of most LIS faculty and students

8. Emic or Etic Orientation
Etic oriented research:
data driven
Emic oriented research:
theory driven

9. Look at Your Research Goals
Qualitative Goals:
To understand…
Quantitative Goals
To predict...
To explain...

10. Focus of Research Qualitative research: Quantitative research
Quality (nature, essence)
Quantitative research
Quantity (how much, how many)

11. Philosophical Roots Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Phenomenology, symbolic interaction
Quantitative research:
Positivism, empirical, statistical

12. Associated Phrases Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Fieldwork, ethnographic, naturalistic, grounded, subjective
Quantitative research:
Experimental, empirical, statistical

13. Goal of Investigation Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Understanding, description, discovery, hypothesis generating
Quantitative research:
Prediction, control, description, confirmation, hypothesis testing

14. Design Characteristics
Qualitative research:
Flexible, evolving, emergent
Quantitative research:
Predetermined, structured

15. Research Setting Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Natural, familiar
Quantitative research:
Artificial, unfamiliar

16. Sample Size and Characteristics
Qualitative research:
Small, nonrandom, theoretical
Quantitative research:
Large, random, representative

17. Data Collection Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Researcher as primary instrument, interviews, observation
Quantitative research:
Inanimate instruments (scales, tests, questionnaires, computers)

18. Mode of Analysis Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Inductive (by researcher)
Quantitative research:
Deductive (by statistical method)

19. Findings Qualitative research: Quantitative research:
Comprehensive, holistic, expansive
Quantitative research:
Precise, narrow, reductionist”
SOURCE: Merriam (1988), p. 18

20. Contrasting Paradigms
The positivist paradigm and the naturalist paradigm can be contrasted along several lines:
“The nature of reality
The relationship of knower to the known
The possibility of generalization
The possibility of causal linkages
The role of values

21. The Nature of Reality Positivism paradigm: Naturalistic paradigm:
Reality is single, tangible & fragmentable
Naturalistic paradigm:
Realities are multiple, constructed, & holistic

22. Knower and the Unknown Positivism paradigm: Naturalistic paradigm:
Knower and known are independent, a dualism.
Naturalistic paradigm:
Knower & known are interactive, inseparable.

23. Generalizations Positivism paradigm: Naturalistic paradigm:
Time- & context-free generalizations (nomothetic statements) are possible
Naturalistic paradigm:
Only time- & context-bound working hypotheses (idiographic statements) are possible.

24. Causal linkages Positivism paradigm: Naturalistic paradigm:
There are real causes, temporarily precedent to or simultaneous with their effects
Naturalistic paradigm:
All entities are in a state of mutual simultaneous shaping, so that it is impossible to distinguish causes from effects

25. Role of Values Positivism paradigm: Naturalistic paradigm:
Inquiry is value-free
Naturalistic paradigm:
Inquiry is value-bound”
SOURCE: Lincoln and Guba (1985), p. 37

26. Research Methods Textbook
Which school of thought?
“Whatever theory or working hypothesis eventually develops must grow naturally from the data analysis rather than standing to the side as an a priori statement that the data will find to be accurate or wanting.”
SOURCE: Powell, p. 154

27. Outlining Function
To ensure methodological integrity, the detailing function of this section of the research proposal includes:
Overall research design or the action plan for development

28. Detailing Functions
To ensure methodological integrity, the detailing function of this section of the research proposal includes:
Safeguards for internal and external validity
Validity and Reliability
Internal vs. external validity

29. Validity and Reliability
Reliability can be defined as:
Consistency or dependability
Validity can be defined as:
Credibility (internal; Cronbach’s alpha) or
generalizability (external)

30. Operationalizing Function
To ensure methodological integrity, the operationalizing function of the research proposal includes:
Operationalizing concepts or
Instruments (construction)
Techniques

31. Analyzing Function
To ensure methodological integrity, the analyzing function of the research proposal includes:
Treatment of data (identification of tests)
what format or structure will you present?

32. Organizing Function
To ensure methodological integrity, the organizing function of the research proposal includes:
Plan
Sequence of events

33. Qualifying Function
To ensure methodological integrity, the qualifying function of the research proposal includes:
Special conditions (limitations)

34. Deficiencies of the Procedures
The methodological section can be found to be deficient in the following ways:
Missing elements; Overlooked data sources;
Project within a project; Externally invalid studies
Great disclaimer; Incomplete descriptions
No control; Inaccessible or remote data source
Overreaching study

35. Questions Is the method outlined? Is the method detailed?
Are any remaining terms or instruments operationalized?
Does this section indicate that data screening will be performed?

36. More Questions Are the tests appropriate and the assumptions met?
Is there any organizational plan?
Is there a statement about ethical conduct?
If necessary, are qualifications or limitations stated?

37. Just A Gentle Reminder...
Remove the disk from the drive now!