Part 1 – Introducing Qualitative Research Dr Janice Whatley September 2014 Dr J Whatley, September...

Dr J Whatley, September 2014

Part 1 – Introducing Qualitative Research

Dr Janice Whatley

September 2014

Agenda Philosophical stance

Positivism Interpretivism

Approaches Deductive Inductive


Philosophical stance A paradigm is a set of concepts, assumptions,

values, and actions that form a way of viewing reality for the discipline that shares them.

Post-Positivist is a catch all term for anything other than Positivist, such as Critical, Pragmatic, Realism


Positivist Interpretivist

Some Philosophers’ views Popper on falsification

human interaction in the real world can not be explained through laws as laid down in the physical sciences

reality is not set in stone, but is a creation of the researcher, depending on the context. So there can be many versions of reality, influenced by culture, gender and beliefs, and their intricate relationships, rather than determinism of outcomes.

more useful to be able to disprove theories than to verify them.

Aristotle on knowledge Knowledge of the form of things, which are in the world

around us. Empirical investigation is important


Positivism


Ontology - researcher’s view of nature of reality: this is external, objective and independent of social actions.

Epistemology - view of knowledge: only observable phenomena can provide credible data and facts. Causality and law-like generalisations reduce phenomena to simplest elements.

Axiology – researcher’s view of role of values: research is undertaken in a value-free manner, researcher is independent of data and remains objective.

Data collection techniques: highly structured, large sample sizes, measurement, quantitative.

Interpretivsm


Ontology - researcher’s view of nature of reality: socially constructed, subjective, changing.

Epistemology - view of knowledge: subjective meanings and social phenomena, focus on details of situation and reality behind these details, meaning motivate actions.

Axiology – researcher’s view of role of values: research is bound by values, researcher is part of what is being studied, so is subjective.

Data collection techniques: small sample sizes, in-depth investigation, qualitative.

Research Onion (Saunders, 2003)


Approaches


Deductive: Development of theory that is then tested Search for causal relationship Facts need to be able to be measured Samples must be selected carefully for results to be generalised Tends to use quantitative methods

Inductive: Formulation of a theory, perhaps as a conceptual framework Develop understanding of cause-effect relationship Concerned with context within which the phenomena takes

place Tends to use qualitative methods

Abduction combines both of these (from the Greek word apagoge, meaning leading away from)


Abduction – or qualitative induction An indirect argument which proves a thing by

showing the impossibility or absurdity of the contrary.

In order to explain an obscure or ungrounded proposition one can lead the argument away from the subject to one more readily acceptable.

Linked to social research, but also educators, theologists and criminologists.

It was Peirce (1839-1914) who first took it up and used it to denote the only truly knowledge-extending means of inferencing, that would be distinct from the normal types of logical conclusion.

May not be valid, but point to probable meaning.

Activity


Identify research stance

Hypothesis or Research Question?


In deductive research, a HYPOTHESIS is necessary. It is focused statement which predicts an answer to your research question.

The ultimate objective of deductive research is to decide whether to accept or reject the hypothesis as stated.

Here is a sample HYPOTHESIS: The "Bowen technique" will significantly

improve intermediate-level, college-age ESL students' accuracy when pronouncing voiced and voiceless consonants and tense and lax vowels.

Research question For Inductive research, a hypothesis is not necessary.

This type of research employs a "discovery approach." In spite of the fact that this type of research does not

use a formal hypothesis, focus and structure is still critical

Therefore, after reviewing the relevant literature, the researcher may arrive at a FOCUSED RESEARCH QUESTION

Here is a sample FOCUSED RESEARCH QUESTION: Is a contrastive presentation (showing both native and

target cultures) more effective than a non-contrastive presentation (showing only the target culture) in helping students understand the target culture?


Summary The 2 main research stances of Positivism

and Interpretivism, have distinctly different characters

Quantitative and Qualitative methods are associated with these respectively

Hypotheses are associated with Positivism, and Research Questions with Interpretivism

But there is growing support for combining the 2 opposing views


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