research methods overview of methods and approaches

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Overview of methods and approachesOverview of methods and approaches

What is research?What is research?

Systematic enquirySystematic enquiry ApproachesApproaches

PositivistPositivist InterpretiveInterpretive

Popper: FalsifiablePopper: Falsifiable Kuhn: Paradigm shiftKuhn: Paradigm shift

Positivist ApproachPositivist Approach

Hypothesis testingHypothesis testing Experimental, makes measurementsExperimental, makes measurements QuantitativeQuantitative Means not valuesMeans not values ““Objective”Objective”

Interpretative Interpretative ApproachApproach

ExplanatoryExplanatory ExploratoryExploratory QualitativeQualitative Often small scaleOften small scale ““Subjective”Subjective”

EthicsEthics

Negotiating access Negotiating access Who owns the data?Who owns the data?

Right to knowRight to know Right to publishRight to publish

Informed consentInformed consent Anonymity and ConfidentialityAnonymity and Confidentiality Insider ResearchInsider Research

Qualitative methodsQualitative methods

Interviews (structured/semi-structured)Interviews (structured/semi-structured) DiariesDiaries ObservationObservation Analysis of documentsAnalysis of documents ExperimentsExperiments Data tends to be information rich but specificData tends to be information rich but specific Analysed by careful examination of dataAnalysed by careful examination of data

Quantitative methodsQuantitative methods

ExperimentsExperiments QuestionnairesQuestionnaires Structured interviewsStructured interviews Observation using coding protocolsObservation using coding protocols Data wide ranging and usually generalisableData wide ranging and usually generalisable Analysed using mathematical/statistical methodsAnalysed using mathematical/statistical methods

Other methodsOther methods

Approaches rather than methodsApproaches rather than methods May use multiple methodsMay use multiple methods

Action researchAction research based on own activitiesbased on own activities Observe - Act - Monitor - Evaluate cycleObserve - Act - Monitor - Evaluate cycle

Case studyCase study Study of a single instanceStudy of a single instance In depth study of something/someone specificIn depth study of something/someone specific