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4.

1 INTRODUCTION

Examining the variables related to instructional leadership and the contribution of these
variables to the improvement of learner achievement demands a dynamic research approach
that is firmly rooted in both qualitative and quantitative epistemology. This is necessary to
ensure that the respondents (principals, deputy principals and HODs) in a study of this
magnitude and complexity are not denied their subjective views on the phenomena being
studied, while the objectivity of the entire research enterprise is guaranteed. In line with this
thinking, this study is based on a mixed methods research approach which is explained in
detail in the following sections.
4.2 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
The two concepts research design and research methodology need to be clarified firstly, in
order to clear the confusion that is often associated with their usage, particularly by
emerging researchers. Each of these concepts is presented as a compound word, with the
concepts design and methodology attached to the noun research. It is appropriate to first
answer the question: ―What is research?‖
4.2.1
RESEARCH
A number of definitions of research have been proposed by different scholars and
researchers, working in different fields. According to the Oxford Advanced Learners‘
Dictionary of Current English (1986:720), research is defined as “systematic investigation
undertaken in order to discover new facts, get additional information”. Saunders, Lewis and
Thornhill (2003) define research as “…something that people undertake in order to find out
new things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge…”
From the definitions of research provided above, it follows that research is a planned
activity, aimed at establishing new facts and information about a particular phenomenon.
The research process involves the identification of a particular problem or area of interest,
4.2.2
RESEARCH DESIGN
Leedy (1997:195) defines research design as a plan for a study, providing the overall
framework for collecting data. MacMillan and Schumacher (2001:166) define it as a plan
for selecting subjects, research sites, and data collection procedures to answer the research
question(s). They further indicate that the goal of a sound research design is to provide
results that are judged to be credible. For Durrheim (2004:29), research design is a strategic
framework for action that serves as a bridge between research questions and the execution,
or implementation of the research strategy.
4.2.3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Schwardt (2007:195) defines research methodology as a theory of how an inquiry should
proceed. It involves analysis of the assumptions, principles and procedures in a particular
approach to inquiry. According to Schwardt (2007), Creswell and Tashakkori (2007), and
Teddlie and Tashakkori (2007), methodologies explicate and define the kinds of problems
that are worth investigating; what constitutes a researchable problem; testable hypotheses;
how to frame a problem in such a way that it can be investigated using particular designs
and procedures; and how to select and develop appropriate means of collecting data.
4.3
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
As indicated under the analysis of the different definitions of research above, after
identifying the research problem or an area of interest, the researcher has to identify
appropriate method(s) to approach the problem. In order to give direction to this study, the
research process ―onion‖ of Saunders et al. (2003:83) was adopted. This onion illustrates the
range of choices, paradigms, strategies and steps followed by researchers during the
research process (see figure 4.1).
4.4 MIXED METHODS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
As indicated in section 4.1 above, this study adopted a mixed methods research approach.
Kemper, Springfield and Teddlie (2003) define mixed methods design as a method that
includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis in parallel form
(concurrent mixed method design in which two types of data are collected and analyzed in
sequential form). Bazely (2003) defines this method as the use of mixed data (numerical and
text) and alternative tools (statistics and analysis), but apply the same method. It is a type of
research in which a researcher uses the qualitative research paradigm for one phase of a
study and a quantitative research paradigm for another phase of the study.
Burke and Onwuegbuzie (2005:1) indicate that mixed methods research is a natural
complement to using either of the traditional qualitative or quantitative research methods in

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