Lecture 1 Intro pp.124-131

Understanding Research Philosophies and Approaches

Introduction

  • Research entails collecting data to address questions or solve problems.

  • Selecting data collection methods (e.g. questionnaires vs interviews) is crucial.

  • Research design is guided by underlying philosophies, termed the "research onion."

  • Importance of articulating the rationale for chosen methods to enhance research credibility (Crotty, 1998).

Learning Outcomes

  • Define ontology, epistemology, and axiology and their relevance to business research.

  • Reflect on personal epistemological, ontological, and axiological stances.

  • Understand significant research paradigms in business research: positivism, critical realism, interpretivism, postmodernism, and pragmatism.

  • Distinguish between deductive, inductive, and abductive approaches to theory development.

Research Philosophy

  • Research Philosophy: A belief system that shapes knowledge development in research.

  • Assumptions about human knowledge (epistemology), reality (ontology), and values (axiology) are integral to shaping research approaches.

  • A coherent set of assumptions forms a credible research philosophy.

The Research Onion

  1. Philosophy (Chapter 4.2)

  2. Approach to Theory Development (Chapter 4.4)

  3. Methodological Choice

  4. Strategy

  5. Time Horizon

  6. Techniques and Procedures

Philosophical Underpinnings

  • Different philosophical traditions in business research (Figure 4.1) guide methodological choices and analysis processes.

  • Reflexivity: Importance of self-awareness regarding one's beliefs, values, and assumptions in the research process.

Philosophy Types

  • Ontology: Assumptions about reality.

  • Example in resistance to change research—shift from viewing resistance negatively to recognizing its potential positive impacts.

  • Epistemology: Assumptions about the nature of knowledge and valid sources of knowledge.

  • Diverse types of knowledge exist within business research, impacting the choice of methodologies.

  • Axiology: Involves values and ethics in research and their implications for the research process.

Research Paradigms

  1. Positivism: Assumes a single observable social reality; focuses on quantitative methods.

  2. Critical Realism: Emphasizes understanding underlying structures shaping observable events; accepts multiple truths.

  3. Interpretivism: Focuses on subjective meanings and interpretations; uses qualitative methods.

  4. Postmodernism: Questions dominant truths and gives voice to marginalized perspectives.

  5. Pragmatism: Aims for practical outcomes and values multiple methods for research.

Research Methods

  • Deductive: Begins with theory to test specific hypotheses.

  • Inductive: Develops theory based on collected data.

  • Abductive: Combines both observations and theoretical frameworks; seeks to explain surprising facts.

Implications for Research

  • Clear understanding of chosen methodologies informs better design and aligns with research goals.

  • Selecting methods should account for research questions, available data access, and relevant philosophic perspectives.

Summary of Key Points

  • Research philosophies affect all aspects of research design.

  • Each philosophy contributes a unique understanding of organizational realities.

  • Ontological, epistemological, and axiological assumptions bridge theory and practical research in business contexts.