1. Research Paradigms and Approaches
Apichoke Lekagul

2. Research Paradigm A system of inquiry
A complete picture or package of large groups of research
The whole process from the beginning to the end
Includes worldview, perspective, position, assumptions, methods and technique

3. Research Paradigms Worldview Perspective Position Quantitative
Qualitative
Assumption
Method
Technique

4. Research Paradigm or System of Inquiry
(Groat & Wang, 2002)

5. Research Paradigms: Dichotomous Paradigm
Sciences vs. Myth
Objective vs. Subjective
Universe is made up of small things
Coming together
Different/ Apart
(Groat & Wang, 2002)

6. Sciences vs. Myth Mathematical Description Atomistic Reductionism
Convergent
Mostly used in technology, engineering and behavioral research
Mythic or Poetic Description
Continuous
Holistic
Divergent
Generative
Mostly used in humanity, art, history and design theory research

7. Research Paradigms: Quantitative vs. Qualitative (Creswell, 1994)
Major Research Paradigms:
Quantitative paradigm
Dealing with quantity or number as data
Qualitative paradigm
Dealing with some quality as data
Mixed methods (using methods from both paradigms– some quantity and quality)

8. Quantitative Paradigm
Traditional research paradigm (of sciences)
Positivist, post-positivist perspective (Groat & Wang, 2002)
Comes from empiricist tradition
Experimental in nature
Modern perspective
Objective

9. Qualitative Paradigm
A countermovement of the positivist tradition in the late 19th century
Constructivist/ naturalistic approach (Groat & Wang, 2002)
Interpretive
Postmodern perspective
Subjective

10. Assumptions of the Paradigms
Ontological: the nature of being (reality)
Epistemological: the nature of knowledge
Axiological: the nature of value and value judgment
Rhetorical: the use of language
Methodological: the process

11. Research Paradigm Assumptions (Creswell, 1994)
Question
(what is?)
Quantitative
Qualitative
Ontological
(nature of reality)
Nature of reality?
Objective & singular, apart from researcher
Subjective & multiple (by participants)
Epistemological
(nature of knowledge)
Relationship of researcher and subject?
Researcher is independent from subject
Researcher interact with subject
Axiological
Role of value?
Value free/ unbiased
Value laden/ biased
Rhetorical
language of research?
Formal/ impersonal/ specific quantitative words
Informal/ personal/ qualitative words
Methodological
Process of research?
Deductive/ cause & effect/ context free/ generalizability
Inductive/ emerging patterns/ context-bound/ understanding

12. Ontological, Epistemological and Axiological Assumptions
Quantitative
Qualitative
Ontological
(Reality)
Single reality (best solution, optimization, prototype)
Multiple (sides of) realities (by situations of…participants/ subjects)
Epistemological
(Researcher’s roles)
Distant view and independent (no relationship between researcher and subjects such as public opinions)
Close distance view and interaction (involving, collaboration)
Axiological
(Value and Judgment)
Objective, value-free/ unbiased (general, no side or no personal statement)
Subjective, value laden/ biased (identify position, from the perspective of…)

13. Deductive and Inductive Process
from the general to the specific
from an expected pattern to the testing observations
Theory testing
Inductive
from the specific to the general
from a set of observations to the discovery of a pattern
Theory construction

14. Common Methods in Quantitative Paradigm
Experiments
True (Random and Fully Controlled Design)
Quasi (Non-Random and Limited Control Design)
Surveys
Cross-section Design
Longitudinal Design
Questionnaires
Measurements

15. Common Methods in Qualitative Paradigm
Ethnography
Study groups of people
Observation
Grounded Theory
Derive a theory using multistage of data collection and refinement
Case study
Explore a phenomenon thoroughly in many aspects
Phenomenological Study
Examines human experiences

16. Subjective-Objective Continuum of Architectural Research
Groat & Wang, 2002

18. Selection Factors Philosophical perspectives
Point of views or beliefs of researchers
Training
Areas of study or society of research
Psychological attributes
Available data
Comfort with rules and procedures
Format of writing

19. Alternative Scenario of Research Paradigms
Groat and Wang (2002)
Positivist/ Post positivist (true and quasi-experiment)
Naturalist (Interpretive/Constructivist)
Emancipatory (more specific to roles and groups)

20. Groat & Wang’s Tripartite
(Quantitative)
(Qualitative)

21. Clusters of Systems of Inquiry

22. Paradigm, Approach, Method and Technique
Paradigm (System or Inquiry)
Approach (Strategy—Series of Methods)
Method (A Series of Techniques)
Technique (A Specific Tactic or Procedure)

23. Approaches or Strategies
Groat and Wang (2002)
Interpretive-Historical Research (SA)
Qualitative Research (SA) (RO)
Correlational Research (AL) (TW)
Experimental (SS) and Quasi-Experimental Research (AL) (TW)
Simulation and Modeling Research (EM)
Logical Argumentation
Case Studies and Combined Strategies (NO) (RO)