Chapter 2: The Selection of a Research Approach

Research Approaches

plans and the procedures for research that span the steps

Research designs

• procedures for inquiry

• based on research approach

Research methods

• specific data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods

• based on research design

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 (general to specific)

• 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-method approach

• 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

Worldview

• is referred to as “a basic set of beliefs that guide action”

• Beliefs about the world and nature of research

Postpositivitism

• This position is sometimes called the “scientific method” or doing “science” research.

• hold a deterministic and reductionistic philosophy

• The knowledge that develops through a ____lens is based on careful observation and measurement of the objective reality.

• Quantitative research

• Determination

• Reductionism

• Empirical observation and measurement

• Theory verification

Constructivism or social constructivism

• (often combined with interpretivism) is such a perspective, and it is typically seen as an approach to qualitative research.

• believe that individuals seek understanding of the world in which they live and work.

• The goal of this research is to rely as much as possible on the participants' views of the situation being studied.

• Understanding

• Multiple participant meanings

• Social and historical construction

• Theory generation

Transformative

• There is no uniform body of literature characterizing this worldview, but includes groups of researchers that are critical theorists; feminists; racial and ethnic minorities; PWD; indigenous and postcolonial peoples; members of LGBT community, etc.

• This worldview holds that research inquiry needs to be intertwined with politics and a political change agenda to confront social oppression at whatever levels it occurs.

• Political

• Power and justice oriented

• Collaborative

• Change-oriented

Pragmatism

• This position claims that knowledge arises out of actions, situations, and consequences rather than antecedent conditions

• This philosophical worldview underpins for mixed methods studies, attention on the research problem, and then using pluralistic approaches to derive knowledge about the problem.

• Consequences of actions

• Problem-centered

• Pluralistic

• Real-world practice oriented

Narrative research

is a design of inquiry from the humanities in which the researcher studies the lives of individuals and asks one or more individuals to provide stories about their lives (Riessman, 2008).

Phenomenological research

is a design of inquiry coming from philosophy and psychology in which the researcher describes the lived experiences of individuals about a phenomenon as described by participants (Giorgi, 2009; Moustakas, 1994).

Grounded theory

is a design of inquiry from sociology in which the researcher derives a general, abstract theory of a process, action, or interaction grounded in the views of participants (Charmaz, 2006; Corbin & Strauss, 2007, 2015).

Ethnography

is a design of inquiry coming from anthropology and sociology in which the researcher studies the shared patterns of behaviors, language, and actions of an intact cultural group in a natural setting over a prolonged period.

Case studies

are a design of inquiry found in many fields, especially evaluation, in which the researcher develops an in-depth analysis of a case, often a program, event, activity, process, or one or more individuals (Stake, 1995; Yin, 2009, 2012, 2014).

Convergent mixed methods

in this design, the investigator typically collects both forms of data at roughly the same time and then integrates the information in the interpretation of the overall results.

Explanatory sequential mixed methods

are one in which the researcher first conducts quantitative research, analyzes the results, and then builds on the results to explain them in more detail with qualitative research.

Exploratory sequential mixed methods

are the reverse sequence from the explanatory sequential design. In the ____, the researcher first begins with a qualitative research phase and explores the views of participants.

Quantitative

• is best when:

• Identifying factors that influence a particular outcome

• Evaluating the utility of an intervention

• Understanding best predictors of an outcome

Qualitative approach

• is best when:

  • The topic is new

  • The subject has not been addressed with a certain sample

  • Existing theories do not apply

Mixed-method

• Neither quantitative nor qualitative approaches are adequate to understand a research problem

• The strength of qualitative and quantitative approaches provides the best understanding (generalize findings and develop detailed view)

Personal Experience & Audience

Criteria for Selecting a Research Approach