Research

Methodologies
Research => basis of knowledge =>
it needs systematic series of steps and standard protoc
=>>> METHODOLOGY
What is Research?
Re – repetition + search – look through, examine
Research: ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS.
•Systematic:
because there is a definite set of procedures and steps to follow.
•Organized:
there is a structure or method of doing research.
It is not a spontaneous activity but planned procedure focused and limited to a specific
scope.
•Finding answers (understanding phenomena): is the point of all research.
Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis or a simple question, research is successful
when we find answers.
•Questions: are central to research.
Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or purpose
2
Alternative to Research
• Authority
• Tradition
• Common sense
• Media myths
• Personal experience

3
Huge Variety of Research Methods
Comparative Causal
Quantitative

Qualitative Theory-
Basic testing
Explorative
Applied Descriptive

Theory-
Longitudinal Building
Explanatory
Classification

Action
4
 Research Approaches (methodology)
Plans and procedures for research
that span the steps from broad assumptions
to detailed methods
of data collection, analysis, and interpretation
assumption
From broad

od s
et h
le d m
eta i
to d

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Methodology (Research Approach) vs
Methods

Methodology
S is understanding of: a l
assu ocial i c
Eth ciples
mp
tion
s Prin
u e s of
i ca l
Methods Politica l
e
is
r
s
p r i s e or
o p
Philos ons
h
set of specific techniques the ent ho
ti rc h e r w
as su m p • selecting cases, resea
se
• measuring and observing uses the
certain aspects, methods
• gathering and refining data,
• analysing data and
reporting results
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 Framework for Research
Philosophical Research
worldviews Designs
• Postpositivist • Quantitative
• Constructivist Research Approach (experiments)
• Pragmatic • Quantitative • Qualitative
• Qualitative (ethnographies)
• Mixed Methods • Mixed Methods
(explanatory
• Questions sequential)
Research
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis Methods
• Interpretation
• Validation 7
 in
Team Work >> 1 5 m
e
Scenario Tim e arch oup
es r gr
• A city has been affected by e R p e
On lem
widespread flooding that has caused ro b
considerable damage to the Built P
Environment - transport infrastructure
has been severely affected and so have
residential, commercial and institutional buildings.
• Your research interests relate to the impact of flooding on the urban built environment and
how flooding is perceived and dealt with by society.
Task 1:
• Brainstorm to identify relevant research problems that relate both to the given scenario and
also to the specific research interests of the individuals in your group.
• Which (one) research problem does your group consider to be the best of these?
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Suggested Research Problems
Team # Research Problems
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

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Framework for Research
Philosophical Research
worldviews Designs

• Postpositivist Research Approach

• Constructivist
• Pragmatic

Research
Methods

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Worldview (paradigm)
• a general philosophical orientation about the world
Pragmatism
and the nature of
helps to explain
research that athe choice ofbrings
researcher research
to a design
study • Consequence of
ti ons actions
Postpositivism m p
sta s s u
o n al • Problem-centered to
v i iti is
• Determination tp o siti
e t rad • Real se a rc h
world practice
o s t t h e re ’
• Reductionism • P resen earch, o ld truof theoriented pa n ts
rep of res tions h e goal partici n
• Empiric observation h e
form assump •titaTtivley on th e situati en asisannot stem
o
and measurement Constructivism
th ese r quan re s of th m is saetisme one sy ity.
• e fo i ew v is ragmitativd to re al
• Theory verification • Understanding
m o r
c h
v
s t c ti P l
ru • o quamitt hy an e d
se a r C o n h t com o p h at
• Multiple e
r participant • pr oa c
h s
ilo on — w s to
a p h o f p s tio n
meanings a rc c u s e s ol u
rese It fo s—and
• Theory generation k
wor ems
b l i xe d
(conceptual pr o to m ch
l ie s e ar
framework) A pp ds res
• ho
met 11
Framework for Research
Philosophical Research
worldviews Designs
• Quantitative
Research Approach (experiments)
• Qualitative
(ethnographies)
• Mixed Methods
(explanatory
sequential)
Research
Methods

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Quantitative Research Designs
True Quasi- Single
Correlational Survey
experiment experiment subject

Testing the impact of an Assessing the relationships

intervention using intact among variables for
groups a single group

Establishing the effect caused Testing the impact of Describing trends in attitudes
by an intervention using an intervention for a and behaviors of a large group
random groups single individual based on a smaller sample
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 Qualitative Research Designs
Phenome- Grounded
Narrative Case study Ethnographic
nological theory

individual experiences to
to describe a case
describe a phenomenon

individual stories to common experience of the shared culture of a

describe the lives of people people to develop a theory group of people

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Framework for Research
Philosophical Research
worldviews Designs

Research Approach
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed Methods

Research
Methods

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Research Approaches (methodologies)
Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Methods

Worldview • Postpositivism • Constructivism • Pragmatism

Typical • Closed questions • Open-ended • Both

features • Numerical data questions
• Text and image data

Research • To test the theory

• To understand • Both
practices • To explain

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Team Work
Task 2:
For your chosen research problem
• develop a suitable quantitative
research design for it.
• Then develop a suitable qualitative
research design for the same
problem.
m i n
15 t w o
> > r o b l e m
me n e p i g n s
Ti O
rch D e s
R e s e a
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Selection of Research Approach
Advantages Limitations
• Draw conclusions on large number of • Impersonal, dry
Quantitative

people • Do not hear the words of

• Efficient data analysis participants
• Demonstrate relationships
• Largely research driven
• Examine probable cause and effect
• People like numbers

• Detailed perspectives of a few people • Limited generalisability

• Hear voices of participants • Soft data, not as hard as numbers
Qualitative

• Understand participants’ experiences • Few people studied

within context • Highly interpretive
• Built from views of participants not • Reliance on participant minimizes
researcher researcher’s expertise
• People like stories 18
Quantitative Research Process Qualitative
Exploratory and understanding
Trends and explanation Identifying Research Problem oriented

Major role: Justification of Minor role: justification of

the research problem Literature Review research problem
Specific and narrow General and broad:
(hypothesis) Specifying Purpose participants' experience
Select design to match Research Design and Collecting Select design to match
purpose data purpose

Statistical analysis (trends)

Analysing Data and Reporting Text analysis (description of
Results thematic development)
Comparison of results with Consideration of larger
prediction Interpreting meaning of findings

Standard and fixed format Dissemination and Evaluation Flexible and emerging 19
format
Team Work
Task 3:
• Having developed your two (quantitative and
qualitative) research design alternatives,
• What aspects of each of these do you
consider to be advantageous and
disadvantageous?
• Would there be any benefit in combining
aspects of both your qualitative and
quantitative approaches (following a mixed
methods approach)? s
5 mi n of met h od
> 1 r is o n
> p a
Ti me Co m
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