Research Approaches/Types

Dr B. S.Nhlumayo
17/10/2024
 3 Approaches
• Qualitative approach - Constructivist/Interpretive
paradigm
• Quantitative approach - Positivist paradigm
• Mixed Methods approach
 Qualitative Research Designs
• Phenomenology – lived experience of participants
• Case studies – an in-depth study of one person, group, or event
• Narrative research – an in-depth exploration of the meanings
people assign to their experiences through narratives
• Ethnography – qualitative research that involves immersing
yourself in a particular community or organization to observe
their behavior and interactions up close
• Grounded theory – a systematic qualitative research method
that collects empirical data first, and then creates a theory
‘grounded’ in the results.
 Qualitative Approach
• Gathers non-numerical data (words, images, sounds, video,
photographs, or audio recordings) to explore subjective
experiences and attitudes, often via observation and
interviews, etc.
• Qualitative research collects, analyzes, and interprets non-
numerical data, such as language (words/texts).
• Qualitative research can be used to understand how an
individual subjectively perceives and gives meaning to their
social reality.
• Qualitative research is primarily concerned with
meaning, subjectivity, and lived experience. The goal is
to understand the quality and texture of people’s
experiences, how they make sense of them, and the
implications for their lives.
• Qualitative research aims to understand the social
reality of individuals, groups, and cultures as nearly as
possible as participants feel or live it. Thus, people and
groups are studied in their natural setting.
• Some examples of qualitative research
questions are provided, such as what an
experience feels like, how people talk about
something, how they make sense of an
experience, and how events unfold for people.
 Advantages of Qual
• Because of close researcher involvement, the researcher gains an
insider’s view of the field. This allows the researcher to find issues
that are often missed (such as subtleties and complexities) by
scientific inquiries.
• Qualitative analysis allows for ambiguities/contradictions in the
data, which reflect social reality (Denscombe, 2010).
• Qualitative research uses a descriptive, narrative style; this research
might be of particular benefit to the practitioner as she or he could
turn to qualitative reports to examine forms of knowledge that
might otherwise be unavailable, thereby gaining new insight.
 Limitations of Qual
• Time-consuming, not cost-effective
• Because of the subjective nature of qualitative data and its origin in single
contexts, it is difficult to apply conventional standards of reliability and
validity. For example, because of the central role played by the researcher
in the generation of data, it is not possible to replicate qualitative studies.
• Contexts, situations, events, conditions, and interactions cannot be
replicated to any extent, nor can generalizations be made to a wider
context than the one studied with confidence.
• The time required for data collection, analysis, and interpretation is
lengthy. Analysis of qualitative data is difficult, and expert knowledge of an
area is necessary to interpret qualitative data..
 Quantitative Approach
• Collects numerical data and analyzes it using statistical
methods. The aim is to produce objective, empirical data that
can be measured and expressed numerically. Quantitative
research is often used to test hypotheses, identify patterns,
and make predictions. (ages, scores, and percentages).
• The goals of quantitative research are to test causal
relationships between variables, make predictions, and
generalize results to wider populations.
• Quantitative researchers aim to establish general laws of
behavior and phenomenon across different settings/contexts.
Research is used to test a theory and ultimately support or
reject it.
 Quantitative research designs
• Experimental research design
• Quasi-experimental research design
• (Causal) comparative
• Correlational including predictive quantitative
design
• General correlation
 Key Features
• The research aims for objectivity (i.e., without
bias) and is separated from the data.
• The design of the study is determined before it
begins.
• For the quantitative researcher, the reality is
objective, exists separately from the researcher,
and can be seen by anyone.
• Research is used to test a theory and ultimately
support or reject it.
 Advantages of Quantitative Research
• Scientific objectivity: Quantitative data can be interpreted with statistical
analysis, and since statistics are based on the principles of mathematics,
the quantitative approach is viewed as scientifically objective and rational
(Carr, 1994; Denscombe, 2010).
• Useful for testing and validating already constructed theories.
• Rapid analysis: Sophisticated software removes much of the need for
prolonged data analysis, especially with large volumes of data involved
(Antonius, 2003).
• Replication: Quantitative data is based on measured values and can be
checked by others because numerical data is less open to ambiguities of
interpretation.
• Hypotheses can also be tested because of statistical analysis (Antonius,
2003).
 Limitations of Quantitative Research
• Context: Quantitative experiments do not take place in natural settings. In
addition, they do not allow participants to explain their choices or the
meaning of the questions they may have for those participants (Carr,
1994).
• Researcher expertise: Poor knowledge of the application of statistical
analysis may negatively affect analysis and subsequent interpretation
(Black, 1999).
• Variability of data quantity: Large sample sizes are needed for more
accurate analysis. Small-scale quantitative studies may be less reliable
because of the low quantity of data (Denscombe, 2010). This also affects
the ability to generalize study findings to wider populations.
• Confirmation bias: The researcher might miss observing phenomena
because of focus on theory or hypothesis testing rather than on the theory
of hypothesis generation.
 Mixed Methods Approach
• Combination of elements of quantitative
research and qualitative research to answer
your research question
• Mixed methods research may be the right
choice if your research process suggests that
quantitative or qualitative data alone will not
sufficiently answer your research question
 Advantages of Mixed Methods
• Best of both worlds - The strengths of one
type of data often mitigate the weaknesses of
the other.
• Method flexibility - Mixed methods are less
tied to disciplines and established research
paradigms
 Disadvantages of Mixed Methods
• Workload - labour-intensive. Collecting,
analyzing, and synthesizing two types of data
into one research product takes a lot of time
and effort
• Differing or conflicting results - it can be very
challenging and unclear on how to proceed,
putting your data at risk for bias in the
interpretation stage.
 What is expected of you for
Assignment 4?
• 300 words
• What will be the Research Approach for your
study? Also, which Research Design will you use?
• Define the Research Approach and define the
Research Design
• Why that Research approach/ Why that Research
design? - Justify
• How will it be applied in your study?