APPROACHES TO ENQUIRY:

1. the quantitative approach: In the structured approach

everything that forms the research process – objectives,
design, sample, and the questions that you plan to ask of
respondents – is predetermined. The structured approach is
more appropriate to determine the extent of a problem,
issue or phenomenon. to find out how many people have a
particular perspective, how many people have a particular
problem, or how many people hold a particular view, you
need to have a structured approach to enquiry. psychology,
epidemiology, education, economics, public health and marketing are
more inclined towards quantitative research. This approach can be further sub-
classified into inferential, experimental and simulation approaches to research. The purpose of
inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to infer characteristics or
relationships of population. This usually means survey research where a sample of population is
studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the
population has the same characteristics. Experimental approach is characterised by much greater
control over the research environment and in this case some variables are manipulated to observe
their effect on other variables. Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial
environment within which relevant information and data can be generated. This permits an
observation of the dynamic behaviour of a system (or its sub-system) under controlled conditions.

2. the qualitative approach: The unstructured approach, by contrast,

allows flexibility in all these aspects of the process. ,
the unstructured approach is predominantly used to explore its
nature, in other words, variation/diversity in a phenomenon,
issue, problem or attitudetowards an issue. For example,
if you want to research the different perspectives of an
issue, the problems experienced by people living in a
community or the different views people hold towards an
issue, then these are better explored using unstructured enquiries. For
example, such disciplines as anthropology, history and sociology
are more inclined towards qualitative research. Generally, the techniques
of focus group interviews, projective techniques and depth interviews are used.

3. Pragmatic approach to research (mixed methods)

The pragmatic approach to science involves using the method which appears best suited to the
research problem. Pragmatic researchers therefore grant themselves the freedom to use any of the
methods, techniques and procedures typically associated with quantitative or qualitative research.
They recognise that every method has its limitations and that the different approaches can be
complementary. For example, they might start with face-to-face interviews with several people or
have a focus group and then use the findings to construct a questionnaire to measure attitudes in
a large scale sample with the aim of carrying out statistical analysis.

4. Advocacy/participatory approach to research

(emancipatory)

The researchers may adopt a less neutral position than that which is usually required in scientific
research. This might involve interacting informally or even living amongst the research
participants (who are sometimes referred to as co-researchers in recognition that the study is not
simply about them but also by them). The findings of the research might be reported in more
personal terms, often using the precise words of the research participants. Whilst this type of
research could by criticised for not being objective, it should be noted that for some groups of
people or for certain situations, it is necessary as otherwise the thoughts, feelings or behaviour of
the various members of the group could not be accessed or fully understood.

Vulnerable groups are rarely in a position of power within society. For this reason, researchers are
sometimes members of the group they are studying or have something in common with the
members of the group.

STEPS IN FORMULATING A RESEARCH

PROBLEM
Step:1 Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you. Ask
yourself, ‘What is it that really interests me as a
professional?’

Step:2 Dissect the broad area into subareas.

Step:3 It is neither advisable nor feasible to study all subareas.

Out of this list, select issues or subareas about which you are
passionate and can manage.

Step:4 Make a list of whatever questions come to your mind

relatingto your chosen subarea and if you think there are
too many to be manageable, go through the process of
elimination
Step:5 Formulate objectives. Both your main objectives and your
subobjectives now need to be formulated, which grow out of
your research questions.

Step:6 examine your objectives to ascertain the feasibility of

achieving them through your research endeavour. Consider
them in the light of the time, resources (financial and
human) and technical expertise at your disposal.

Step:7 Double-check. Go back and give final consideration to whether

or not you are sufficiently interested in the study, and
have adequate resources to undertake it.

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