Research Methods I - Lecture 2 - Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

Qualitative, Quantitative,and Mixed MethodsResearch Methods 1, Lecture 2

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SOME CLARIFICATIONSBefore we begin,

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A reminder: what we will do in these courses

Research Methods 1

Research Methods 2

Research Project

Getting the basics rightIndividual ideas Mixing & Matching

Group proposal(the happy playground)

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Topics in Research Methods 1

• Feasibility to conduct research in just 4 weeks without any money or other resources is not a concern. Think big.

• Your topics as input for discussion.• Your topics as the basis for your

graded assignments.

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Topics in Research Methods 2

• Final proposal needs to be feasible:– Possible to finish in just 4 weeks.– Possible to conduct with about 4 people.– No additional financial resources (sadly).

• You may use your topic for RM1 as a starting point; not required though.

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What is a “Research Paper”?

• Not just a literature/theory review. (Though it still needs to include that too.)

• Consists of empirical data & analysis.=Based on observations, measurements, or

experiences.≠Based only on theory or pure logic.

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PHILOSOPHYBefore analysis, before data, and before methodology, there is:

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Exist

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Truth

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Objectivity

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Knowledge

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Paradigm(worldview)

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Ontology & Epistemology

• Ontology: The study of what exists, and how things that exist are understood and categorized.

• Epistemology: How we come to have legitimate knowledge of the world; rules for knowing.

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Define topic Formulate question

Decide on approach

Gather information

(data)Analyze Present

Basic Process of doing Research

How do I see the world, and what are my assumptions?

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PARADIGMSSo let’s give names to some of those

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Some ‘-isms’ (paradigms)

• Realism• Empiricism• Positivism• Relativism• Social Constructivism (& interpretivism)

• Subjectivism• Pragmatism

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Induction revisited• Example 1: (weak)

– A: It took me 10 minutes from UCM to the lecture today.

– B: It will take me 10 minutes again next week.• Example 2: (strong)

– A: All life forms we know consist partly of water.– B: Potential life forms that we don’t know of yet,

likely also consist partly of water.

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Deduction revisited (‘deductive nomological model’)

• Example 1: (correct)

– A: All people are mortal.– B: Students are people.– C: All students are mortal.

• Example 2: (incorrect)

– A: All enrolled students also come to the lecture.– B: Students who go to lectures get high grades.– C: All students who enroll get high grades.

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QUANTITATIVE, QUALITATIVE, MIXED METHODS

Connecting the dots:

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Three approaches to research

• Quantitative• Qualitative• Mixed Methods

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Quantitative approaches

• What is it?• Rules of thumb:

– Typical philosophical assumptions– Typical ‘logical’ aims

• Mostly confirmatory• Mostly nomothetic

• Academic disciplines• Styles of writing

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Strategies of Inquiry: Quantitative

There are several research designs that are quantitative, these include:

Causal-comparative researchCorrelational designSurvey researchExperimental research

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Qualitative approaches

• What is it?• Rules of thumb:

– Typical philosophical assumptions– Typical ‘logical’ aims:

• Often more exploratory than quantitative• Mostly idiographic

• Academic disciplines• Styles of writing

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Qualitative

• Usually particularistic (idiographic)

• Often holistic (considering a phenomenon in its whole context)

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Strategies of Inquiry: Qualitative

In this type of research several approaches may be used, including:

Narrative researchPhenomenological researchGrounded theoryEthnographyCase studies

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Mixed Methods approaches

• What is it?• Rules of thumb:

– Philosophical assumptions & ‘logical’ aims• Academic disciplines• Styles of writing

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Why do Mixed Methods?

“Methods should be mixed in a way that has complementary strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses. It involves the recognition that all methods have their limitations as well as their strengths.”

- Johnson and Turner (2003)

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Mixed Methods: it depends…

The way a Mixed Methods study is set up depends on several factors:

– Specific practices in an academic discipline

– The type of research question in the project

– Resources (money, time, etc.)

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Strategies of Inquiry: Mixed Methods

Assumes that one type of database or method of analysis may be used to inform and explain another. Some mixed methods include:

– Convergent parallel mixed methods– Explanatory sequential mixed methods– Exploratory sequential mixed methods

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FINAL NOTESBefore you leave, some

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Assignment 1: “Formulating Questions”

• Deadline (the week after Carnival):– Before Monday 10 March on Safe

Assignment– By Monday 10 March at 13:00 at the

Office of Student Affairs (OSA)• Weight: 30% of final grade• Individual assignment

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Assignment 1: “Formulating Questions”

• What counts:– Paper of 2000 – 3000 words (3-4 pages)

– Presentation in tutorial (max. 5 minutes)

• Elements in the paper (at least):– Research question (& hypotheses if applicable)

– Social / scientific relevance of the topic– Basic theory & earlier empirical work on this subject– A suggested research approach for this question

(including a description of what kind of approach this would be, and why/how this would answer the central question)

– Your philosophical-methodological considerations

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At the Cutting Edge: Research in Practice

Next Wednesday (19 Feb), 18:00, UCM Lecture Hall:

Harm Hospers

Harm Hospers will be interviewed about his research, his fieldwork in countries like Tanzania and Indonesia,

and about the delicate balance between being an academic, an observer, and feeling a strong sense of

engagement with the ones you observe.