Research Methods

Session 1 RECAP
After attending this session the Scholars will be able to understand and define
What are the 3 types of life we live What are different outcomes of change How can we respond the changes happening in our life What are the four sources of knowledge Which style of thinking is best and why What is meant by data and information What are the characteristics of quality information What is research Why do we conduct research When should we conduct research How do we conduct research What is problem and what are its types What are the sources of problem On what basis do we select a problem for research

Session 2 Objective
Enhance your Understanding and Application skills regarding
Research paradigms Philosophical assumption Elements of research process Research approaches

So that you could select the appropriate path (Design, philosophy, approach) of doing research

RESEARCH PARADIGMS
POSITIVISM
Determination Reductionism Empirical observation and measurement Theory verification
INTERPRETIVISM

PRAGMATISM Consequences of actions Problem centered Pluralistic Real-world practice oriented

Understanding Multiple participant meanings Social and historical construction Theory generation

PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Sr. # Philosophical Assumption Positivism Interpretivism Pragmatism

Ontology
What is the nature of reality?

Singular reality & Objective Reality

Multiple & Subjective realities

Singular and multiple realities.

Practicality (e.g. researchers collect data by what work to address research question). Objective + Subjective

Epistemology
What is the relationship b/w researcher and that being researched?
What is regarded as acceptable knowledge and how we know it?

Distance and impartiality

Closeness (e.g. researchers visit participants at their sites to collect data) It is cased on the perceptions of the individuals about the world. (Subjective) Biased (e.g. researchers actively talk about their biases and interpretations)

Acceptable knowledge is gained through sense and is objectively real. (Objective) Unbiased (e.g. researchers use checks to eliminate bias)

Axiology: What is the role of values?

Multiple stances. (e.g. researchers include both biased & unbiased perspectives)

PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Sr. # 4 Philosophical Assumption Positivism Formal style (use agreed-upon definitions of variables) Deductive (e.g. research on a priori theory to test its generalizeability) Surveys, experiments and field work
Close ended questions, Structured interview structured observation

Interpretivism Informal style. Use words as defined by respondents Inductive (e.g. start with participants views and build up patterns to develop theories Grounded theory, case study, ethnography, and narratives
Open ended questions, Semi structured interview Unstructured observation

Pragmatism Formal and/or informal

Rhetoric: What is the language of research?

Methodology: What is the process of research?

Combining both

Strategies of Inquiry Methods

What is the tool of data collection

Concurrent Sequential, and transformative.

numerical data, statistical analysis

Quantitative Research

Textual data, text and image analysis.

Qualitative

Both

Research Approach

Research

Mixed Methods
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QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH?
Quantitative Research Is "a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical data are utilised to test the priori theory deductively. GENERAL AIMS To Be Objectives To Test Theories or Hypotheses To Generalize

WHAT IS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?

Qualitative Research Is informal, subjective and semisystematic research approach in which data are collected in the form of word (any form other than numbers) to generate new theories inductively. GENERAL AIMS To be subjective (understanding multiple meanings) Not to claim generalizeability To generate theory inductively

MIXED METHODS APPROACH

Mixed Methods Research is a relatively new research approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative research approaches in order to get comprehensive information to resolve a problem.
In this research the researcher tends to base knowledge claims on pragmatic grounds (e.g., consequence-oriented, problemcentered, and pluralistic). GENERAL AIMS
To be problem centered To be consequence oriented To substitute the weaknesses of either (Qual, Quan) approach

To develop and test theory within a single study using comprehensive

data
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THE BASIC PROCESS OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?

Another preliminary consideration before

designing and conducting research is to review and know the basic elements of both quantitative and qualitative research so that to choose an appropriate approach. These elements are discussed in the next table.

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Elements of Qualitative Research Tend Toward..

Process of Research

Elements of Quantitative Research Trend Toward

Interpretivism
Point on view of participants Understand meaning individuals give to a phenomenon inductively Contextual understanding Minor role Justifies problem

Paradigm
Intent of the research

Positivism
Point of view of researcher Test a theory deductively to support or refute it Generalization

How literature is used How intent is focused

Major role Justifies problem Identifies questions and hypotheses Ask closed-ended questions Test specific variables that form hypotheses or questions Numbers From many participants at many research sites Sending or administering instruments to participants Artificial setting Data is collected at Macro level
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Ask open-ended questions Understand the complexity of a single idea Words and images From a few participants at a few research sites Studying participants at their location. Natural setting Data is collected at Micro level

How data are collected

Elements of Qualitative Research Tend Toward..

Process of Research

Elements of Quantitative Research Trend Toward

Text or image analysis Themes Larger patterns or generalizations. Using validity procedures that rely on the participants, the researcher, or the reader Researcher is close Identifies personal stance Reports bias

How data are analyzed

Numerical statistical analysis Rejecting hypotheses or determining effect sizes

How data are validated Role of the researcher

Using validity procedures based on external standards, such as judges, past research, statistics Researcher is distant Remains in background Take steps to remove bias

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 Please read the following articles thoroughly and prepare a research report of 2500 words and a Presentation covering the Comparison on the basis of elements of research approaches which you have covered in todays class (page:17 in handouts)

Articles
Churn management in telecom industry of Pakistan: A Comparative study of Ufone and Telenor

By: Sadia Jahanzeb and Sadia Jabeen To Adapt or Not to Adapt Exploring the Role of National culture in HRM A Study of Pakistan By: Shaista E. khilji Linking individual performance to business strategy: the people process model By: Lynda Gratton, Veronica Hope-Hailey et al.
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1. Instructions:
I. I. Email the soft copy (On CD) of report at given email address You could be requested for the presentation followed by a question answer session in group form in the upcoming class.

2. Notes on presentation:
The aim of the presentation is to allow students to gain constructive feedback from their peers regarding their comparative reports as well as allowing them to demonstrate their presentation skills. The structure of the presentation will largely mirror the structure of the report and thus contain the comparison on basis of three basic research approaches i.e. qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. I. Points to consider when marking presentations are: I. Timing of presentation II. Clarity of presentation III. Structure of the presentation IV. Quality of overheads, handouts etc. V. Application of theory to practice VI. Ability to answer questions effectively VII. Use of sources of information

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ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH PROCESS

SAMPLE COMPARISON CHART

S. R. P. Elements Title of article # 1 No.

Title of article # 2

Title of article # 3

2
3 4

5
6 7 8
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Feel free to contact

NADEEM IQBAL RAZA
Assistant Director & HOD ANCRD Superior University Lahore

CELL: EMAIL: URL:

0092-321-4394633 nadeemiqbalraza@yahoo.com www.nadeemiqbal.com