Research Exam Module 6

Deduction

idea - observations - conclusion

Induction

observation - analysis - theory

Abduction

drawing conclusions from partial knowledge

Ontology

what things are

Epistemology

how we gain knowledge about things

Quantitative

variables, measurements, statistics, large samples. 

Qualitative

examining real-life contexts, meanings, processes, and practices. 

The Strengths of Quantitative Research 

Ability to measure trends, Reveal patterns at scale, Provide clarity amid social-media noise, Use big data to explore new terrains

The Strengths of Qualitative Research 

Context, Meaning-in-action, Real-world processes unavailable to surveys or statistics

missing phenomenon

the lived, sequenced, socially organized world that numbers alone often flatten. 

The Problems with Qualitative Research 

reliance on experiences as inner truths, Overuse of interviews can detach accounts, Risks of anecdotalism

Positivism

social facts that exist out there are independent of the activities of both participants and researchers

Naturalism

social reality is built from participants’ meanings

Constructionism

social reality is something people build together moment by moment through talk, interaction, narrative, and practical action

Designing a Research Project

topic, question, Theory, Design, Literature Review

Model

an overarching worldview (e.g., naturalism, constructionism). 

Concept

a tool derived from the model

Theory

a set of linked concepts explaining a phenomenon. 

Hypothesis

a testable proposition

Methodology

the general research approach. 

Method

the specific technique for your research

The essential design

Topic → Model → Theory → Methods → Data 

three major approaches to qualitative research: 

naturalism, ethnomethodology, emotionalism

a

b

Naturalism - Interactionism

Focuses on social life as constructed through interactions.

Naturalism - Ethnography

extended fieldwork, rich description, and detailed understanding of situated practices. 

Ethnomethodology

Studies how people produce social order through practical actions

Emotionalism

treats the social world as driven by inner feelings, subjective experience, and personal narratives. 

Reliability

the consistency and stability of research findings

Anecdotalism

is found where research reports appear to tell entertaining stories or anecdotes but fail to provide an analytic or methodological framework with which to convince the reader of their scientific credibility.

theoretical sampling

systematically, based on emerging concepts, to test and refine interpretations.

Reliability Checks 

Constant Comparison, Comprehensive Data Treatment, Deviant-Case Analysis, transparent Coding Procedures 

Constant Comparison 

Check each new case against previous ones. 
This prevents inflated claims and reveals contradictions early. 

Comprehensive Data Treatment 

Analyse all relevant instances, not just a select few. 

Deviant-Case Analysis 

Actively search for cases that contradict your emerging argument. 

Transparent Coding Procedures 

Make coding rules explicit so others can understand how categories were created. 

inter-coder reliability

having multiple analysts code the same data to see if their classifications match

Deductive

Positivism, Objective Approach 

Inductive

Naturalism, Subjective approach

Abductive

Constructionism, Intersubjective approach