Topic 3
Research
design: The
Selection of a
Research
Approach
1
Chapter 1 Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
• 1. Define major research terms used in this book so
that you can incorporate them into your projects.
• 2. Describe the three major methodologies and their
differences to select an appropriate methodology for
your study.
• 3. Describe the relationship among the terms,
philosophical worldview assumptions, designs, and
methods. How would you connect these three
components in your study?
• 4. Appraise which one of the philosophical worldviews
fits your experiences, training, and cultural orientation.
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Chapter 1 Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
• 5. Identify which one of the types of research designs
you will use in your study.
• 6. Describe the differences between quantitative
methods, qualitative methods, and mixed methods
research.
• 7. Identify the reasons for choosing either a
quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approach to
use in your study.
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Introducing Key Terms in this Chapter (1 of 2)
• Research approaches – plans and the procedures for
research that span the steps
• Research designs – procedures for inquiry
• Research methods – specific data collection, analysis,
and interpretation methods
• Research problem – issue being addressed
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Introducing Key Terms in this Chapter (2 of 2)
Table 1.1: Key Terms and Their Definitions as Used in This Chapter
Key Terms Definitions
Philosophical Before a study begins, a researcher brings a point of view and a set of beliefs to the research
Assumptions process that informs their approach to conducting the study. Philosophical assumptions are
these beliefs and values. They emphasize what the researcher holds to be most important in
conducting a study. Philosophical assumptions develop from an individual’s training in a
specific discipline or field of study (e.g., psychology). They also emerge from prior experiences
in research and the cultural environment of an individual.
Research We will use the term research approach synonymously with research methodology. This term
Approach represents different types of research to have historically emerged. In this chapter, we will
present three broad methodologies: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Research Design We use the term research design to mean the ways of conducting research within a broad
methodology. Thus, as seen in this chapter, broad methodologies can be subdivided into
different types of designs. Each design has its own procedures used in conducting a study.
Research Within a particular design, the researcher gathers data, analyzes it, and makes an
Methods interpretation of its meaning. These are the methods in a study.
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Three Approaches or
Methodologies in Research (1 of 4)
• Qualitative
• Quantitative
• Mixed methods
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Three Approaches or
Methodologies in Research (2 of 4)
Qualitative research:
• Focuses on understanding meaning
• Uses emerging questions
• Collects data in participant’s setting
• Uses an inductive approach to analysis
• Has a written report that is flexible in structure
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Three Approaches or
Methodologies in Research (3 of 4)
Quantitative research:
• Tests objective theories
• Examines relationships among measurable variables
• Uses survey instruments that produce numbered data
• Uses statistical analysis of data generated
• Tests theories deductively
• Uses a set structure for the final report
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Three Approaches or
Methodologies in Research (4 of 4)
Mixed methods research:
• Collects both quantitative and qualitative data
• Integrates the two forms of data
• Uses distinct designs that may involve philosophy or
theory
• Yields additional insight to a research problem
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Three Major Components of
a Research Approach (1 of 2)
• Philosophical worldviews
• Research designs
• Research methods
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Three Major Components of
a Research Approach (2 of 2)
Figure 1.1: A Framework for Research—The Interconnection of
Worldviews, Design, and Research Methods
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Philosophical Worldviews (1 of 2)
• Beliefs about the world and nature of research
• Make explicit in proposal
• Four common worldviews:
– Postpositivism
– Constructivism
– Transformative
– Pragmatism
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Philosophical Worldviews (2 of 2)
Table 1.2: Four Worldviews
Postpositivism Constructivism Transformative Pragmatism
• Determination • Understanding • Political • Consequences
• Reductionism • Multiple • Power and of action
• Empirical participant justice oriented • Problem
observation meanings • Collaborative centered
and • Social and • Change • Pluralistic
measurement historical oriented • Real-world
• Theory construction practice oriented
verification • Theory
development
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Research Designs (1 of 2)
• Types of inquiry
• Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods
• Provides specific direction for procedures
• Types of designs have grown
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Research Designs (2 of 2)
Table 1.3: Alternative Research Designs
Quantitative Designs Qualitative Designs Methods Designs
• Experimental and • Descriptive method • Case study
quasi-experimental • Narrative research • Convergent
designs • Phenomenology • Explanatory sequential
• Single-subject designs • Grounded theory • Exploratory sequential
• Nonexperimental • Ethnography • Complex designs with
designs, such as surveys • Case study embedded core designs
• Longitudinal designs • Convergent
• Explanatory sequential
• Exploratory sequential
• Complex designs with
embedded core designs
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Quantitative Designs
• Causal-comparative research
• Correlational design
• Survey research
• Experimental research
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Qualitative Designs
• Descriptive method
• Narrative research
• Phenomenological research
• Grounded theory
• Ethnography
• Case studies
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Mixed Methods Designs
• Integration of quantitative and qualitative research and
data and analyses
• Core designs
– Convergent parallel mixed methods
– Explanatory sequential mixed methods
– Exploratory sequential mixed methods
• Complex mixed methods designs (e.g., experiment)
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Research Methods (1 of 2)
• Specific forms of
– Data collection (e.g., instrument, observations)
– Analysis (e.g., statistical analysis, interpret themes)
– Interpretation
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Research Methods (2 of 2)
Table 1.4: Quantitative, Mixed, and Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods Mixed Methods Qualitative Methods
Predetermined Both predetermined and Emerging methods
emerging methods
Instrument-based Both open- and closed- Open-ended questions
questions ended questions
Performance data, Multiple forms of data Interview data,
attitude data, drawing on all observation data,
observational data, and possibilities document data, and
census data audiovisual data
Statistical analysis Statistical and text Text and image analysis
analysis
Statistical interpretation Across databases Themes, patterns, and
interpretation interpretation
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (1 of 7)
• Research approach tends to be quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed methods
• Compare philosophy, strategies, methods
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (2 of 7)
Table 1.5: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
Tends to or Qualitative Approaches Quantitative Mixed Methods Approaches
Typically Approaches
Uses these Constructivist/transformative Postpositivist Pragmatic knowledge claims
philosophical knowledge claims knowledge claims
assumptions
Employs these Phenomenology, grounded theory, Surveys and Sequential, convergent, and
designs ethnography, case study, and narrative experiments (true, complex designs
quasi-experimental,
single-subject)
Employs these Open-ended questions, emerging Closed-ended Both open- and closed-ended
methods approaches, text or image data questions, questions, both emerging and
predetermined predetermined approaches,
approaches, numeric both quantitative and qualitative
data (may include some data and analysis
open-ended questions)
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (3 of 7)
Table 1.5: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (continued)
Tends to or Qualitative Approaches Quantitative Approaches Mixed Methods
Typically Approaches
Uses these Positions themselves Tests or verifies theories or Collects both quantitative
practices of explanations and qualitative data
research Collects participant meanings
Identifies variables to Develops a rationale for
Focuses on a single concept or Study mixing
phenomenon
Relates variables in Integrates the data at
Brings personal values into the study questions or hypotheses different stages of
Inquiry
Studies the context or setting of Uses standards of validity and
participants reliability Presents visual pictures of
the procedures in the
Validates the accuracy of findings Observes and measures study
information numerically
Makes interpretations of the data Employs the practices
Uses unbiased approaches of both qualitative and
Creates an agenda for change or reform quantitative research
Employs statistical procedures
Collaborates with the participants
Employs text analysis procedures
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (4 of 7)
• Quantitative approach scenario:
– Postpositivist worldview
– Experimental design
– Pretest and posttest measures of attitudes
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (5 of 7)
• Qualitative approach scenario:
– Constructivist worldview
– Ethnographic design
– Observation of behavior
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (6 of 7)
• Qualitative approach scenario:
– Transformative worldview
– Narrative design
– Open-ended interviewing
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Research Approaches as Worldviews,
Design, and Methods (7 of 7)
• Mixed methods approach scenario:
– Pragmatic worldview
– Collection of both quantitative and qualitative data
sequentially in the design
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Criteria for Selecting a
Research Approach (1 of 5)
The research problem and questions:
• Quantitative approach is best when
– Identifying factors that influence a particular
outcome
– Evaluating the utility of an intervention
– Understanding best predictors of an outcome
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Criteria for Selecting a
Research Approach (2 of 5)
The research problem and questions:
• Qualitative approach is best when
– The topic is new
– The subject has not been addressed with a certain
sample
– Existing theories do not apply
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Criteria for Selecting a
Research Approach (3 of 5)
The research problem and questions:
• Mixed methods approach is best when:
– Neither quantitative nor qualitative approaches are
adequate to understand a research problem
– The strength of qualitative and quantitative
approaches provides the best understanding
– E.g., generalize findings and develop detailed view
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Criteria for Selecting a
Research Approach (4 of 5)
Personal experiences:
• Training
• Preferences
• Time
• Resources
• Experiences
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Criteria for Selecting a
Research Approach (5 of 5)
Audience:
• Journal editors
• Journal readers
• Faculty committees
• Conference attendees
• Colleagues in the field
• Advisers
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Summary
• Identify approach as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed
methods
• Approach includes worldview, research design, and
research methods
• Choice of approach
– Research problem
– Personal experiences
– Audience
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