RESEARCH

METHODS 1
Lecture 6
Advanced Research Methods
 Session Outline

■ Research ONION (A Glance View of Research Design)

■ Research Philosophies and Approaches
I am ONION
RESEARCH ONION
 Research Paradigm
Paradigm: A framework for looking at and understanding the world.
A research paradigm is an approach or a model or a pattern to conduct
research. It is a framework of thoughts or beliefs or understandings within
which theories and practices operate.

■ Provide guidelines and principles concerning the way research is

conducted
 Philosophy

"philosophy" means, "love of wisdom."

The study of the fundamental nature of

knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when
considered as an academic discipline.
 Research Philosophy
Research philosophy deals with the source,
nature and development of knowledge

A research philosophy is a belief about the way in

which data about a phenomenon should be gathered,
analysed and used.
 Research Philosophies

Positivism Interpretivism
Surface Knowledge Deep Knowledge
Reality has singular meaning Work beyond the reality

Hypotheses Testing
Usually Quantitative Studies Usually Exploratory Studies

Theory Testing Theory Building

Positivist and Critical/Interpretive Research
■ Positivist
– Universal truths and laws
– Researcher seeks objectivity/detachment
– World to be researched is 'external'
– Deductive, quantitative methods common - similar to
natural science model
■ Critical/interpretive
– Multiples realities
– Researcher accepts subjectivity
– Researcher engages with research subject
– Inductive, qualitative methods common