PT10803

Research
Approaches
Denis Lajium
The learning outcomes of this lesson

▣ Understand research approaches

▣ Describe the six steps in the process of research.
▣ Identify the characteristics of quantitative and
qualitative research in the six steps.
▣ Identify the type of research designs associated
with quantitative and qualitative research.
1.
Understanding
Research
Approach
Research Approach

▣ Approach, (literally) means “a way of dealing

with a situation or problem.”
▣ A research approach is a “mind set” which
include, but not limited to, belief, attitude,
perspective, point of view, line of action,
method, procedure, process, technique, or
modus operandi in addressing a problem.
▣ Research approach can be referred as research
tradition or strategy.
Research approaches

▣ There are many ways to categories research

approach
▣ A common (almost universal) way to approach
a research problem on the nature of data
collected:
□ Quantitative research
□ Qualitative research
□ Mixed-method (not for you yet)
▣ Some based of philosophical stand (not for you
yet).
The research
process
 The

2.
Characteristics
of Quantitative
Research
Main Characteristics of Quantitative
Research

▣ Describing a research problem through a

description of trends or a need for an
explanation of the relationship among variables
▣ Providing a major role for the literature through
suggesting the research questions to be asked
and justifying the research problem and
creating a need for the direction (purpose
statement and research questions or
hypotheses) of the study
Main Characteristics of Quantitative
Research

▣ Creating purpose statements, research

questions, and hypotheses that are specific,
narrow, measurable, and observable
▣ Collecting numeric data from a large number of
people using instruments with preset questions
and responses
Main Characteristics of Quantitative
Research

▣ Analysing trends, comparing groups, or relating

variables using statistical analysis, and
interpreting results by comparing them with
prior predictions and past research
▣ Writing the research report using standard,
fixed structures and evaluation criteria, and
taking an objective, unbiased approach
Other characteristics

▣ Objective
▣ Clear and well defined variables
▣ Often focus on a specific variable (DV)
▣ Specific and narrow research questions
▣ Hypotheses
▣ Measurement or instrumentation
▣ Statistical analysis
▣ Generalisation to population
 The

3.
Characteristics
of Qualitative
Research
Main Characteristics of Qualitative
Research

▣ Exploring a problem and developing a detailed

understanding of a central phenomenon
▣ Having the literature review play a minor role
but justify the problem
▣ Stating the purpose and research questions in a
general and broad way so as to the participants’
experiences
Main Characteristics of Qualitative
Research

▣ Collecting data based on words from a small

number of individuals so that the participants’
views are obtained
▣ Analysing the data for description and themes
using text analysis and interpreting the larger
meaning of the findings
▣ Writing the report using flexible, emerging
structures and evaluative criteria, and including
the researchers’ subjective reflexivity and bias
Other characteristics

▣ Subjective
▣ Themes are generated from the data
▣ Focus on the central phenomenon
▣ Broad research questions
▣ Mainly collect non-numerical data
▣ Thematic and comparative analysis
▣ Application to similar phenomenon
4.
Research
approach and
design
Research Designs Associated with
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Some issues that you need to think

▣ Quantitative or qualitative approach:

□ Which is the best approach?
□ Which is easier?
□ Which requires more data?
□ Which requires more literature review?
Always remember

▣ No one approach is better than any other, but

some approaches are more relevant to your
project than others.
▣ Bear in mind that research approach should
follow from questions' (not the other way
around.
▣ A poor question-approach fit can lead to
serious delays in research and ultimately
undermine your project.
Thanks!
Any questions?