assumptions in research methodology

The findings of a single-case study are often used to generate new research questions, develop theories, or inform policy or practice. Webhow these assumptions relate to the researchers chosen methodology and methods, and how these assumptions connect to the findings which are presented in journal articles. startxref Last, it requires that these descriptions be uniform across all researchers or observers, which leads to the requirement that measurement is the royal road to knowledge. (If you wish to review the entire article, it is linked in the Track 2 Courseroom Resources section.) (1988). Project Planner. The four kinds of philosophical assumptions derived from those paradigms. Objective approaches: Dialogic or dialectic? In 2012 Venkatesh, Thong and Xu published their article, "Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology," examining consumer acceptance and use of information technology. Quantifiable methods only. Part 1, Chapter 3. You also assume that leadership can be studied productively, that we can learn something meaningful and useful about it. Exploratory Case Study Case studies can help educators to develop effective teaching strategies, evaluate student progress, and identify areas for improvement. Balancing borders and bridges: Negotiating the work-home interface via boundary work tactics. Last, it requires that these descriptions be uniform across all researchers or observers, which leads to the requirement that measurement is the royal road to knowledge. Further, it insists that valid knowledge can only be assumed if all observers come up with essentially the same description of a thing. This discussion includes describing the theoretical concepts that inform the choice of methods to be applied, placing the choice of methods within the more general nature of academic work, and reviewing its relevance to examining the research problem. Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: Extending the theory of acceptance and use of technology. The findings of an instrumental case study can be used to inform policy or practice or generate new research questions. /)v64XDPVR@j;nql Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008. New York, NY: Guilford Press. On the other hand, conclusions are made based on the assumptions given, so conclusion needs to agree with the given assumptions. Gained through understanding the meaning of the process or experience. 0 The Writers Handbook. National Centre for Research Methods Review Discussion Paper (pp. They are logical positivism and interpretivism. Research is value-free; it must not be influenced in any way by the values of the researcher. ), Knowing the social world (pp. We will take them one at a time. In T. May & M. W. Human beings, that is, construct their realities and truths by talking together about them. In K. Fulbright-Anderson, A. C. Kubrisch, & J. P. Connell (Eds. Organizational learning: Dimensions for a theory. 1BAN;|QmS^ N8QPDC)*! Kanazawa, S. (1988). %PDF-1.4 % Positivism is a philosophy that holds that empirical evidence obtained through the senses is the only firm foundation for knowledge. (1989). Complementary use of qualitative and quantitative cultural assessment methods. Assumptions that go uncommunicated. WebMethodological assumptions(research strategies): Using quantitative research methods such as experiments, quasi-experiments, surveys, correlation studies, and so onwhich Do not provide any background information that does not directly help the reader understand why a particular method was chosen, how the data was gathered or obtained, and how the data was analyzed in relation to the research problem [note: analyzed, not interpreted! I assume one thing, you assume something else, and the other fellows each assume something different from each of the others. PubMedGoogle Scholar, Nkwake, A.M. (2020). When you study a field, you were adoptingwhether you realized it at the timea set of specialization assumptions, that is, ideas and practices that are taken for granted within that school of thought. Youll remember from Track I that these are based on the Quantitative or Qualitative paradigm, your specialization in the program, and specific theories of business/management and information technology. Answer a handful of multiple-choice questions to see which statistical method is best for your data. All research builds on philosophical and theoretical foundations. Could anything be more ridiculous? Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2010; Carter, Susan. We can only know what we can learn in thoughtful discussion with other seekers. Remember that you are not writing a how-to guide about a particular method. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. This is not a common procedure for most undergraduate level student research assignments. Thus, positivism leads to the following four sets of assumptions: As should be obvious, such assumptions lead to quantitative studies, which rely on objective measurement of observable phenomena. Ingwersen, P. (1996). The purpose of a case study is to provide a detailed analysis of a specific phenomenon, issue, or problem in its real-life context. University of Washington; Denscombe, Martyn. The reader wants to know that the data was collected or generated in a way that is consistent with accepted practice in the field of study. According to pragmatism research philosophy, research question is the most important determinant of the , Dont touch them, leave them as they are; , Explain them in more detail (make them explicit) , Offer evidence (convert them into supported claims) . Here is how the four groups of assumptions look to an interpretivist (a social constructivist): As the positivist paradigm leads inevitably to objective, quantifiable methods, the interpretivist paradigm leads to methods that involve qualitative inquiryresearcher and participant talking together, constructing a new reality together. Venkatesh, Thong and Xu made the following assumptions: Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003) User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. However, if your professor states you need approval, you must include a statement in your methods section that you received official endorsement and adequate informed consent from the office and that there was a clear assessment and minimization of risks to participants and to the university. One of the most reliable ways to find assumptions is to look for shifts in language between the premises and conclusion of an argument. That which cannot be measured cannot be reliably known. New Directions for Evaluation, 87(Fall), 3545. Assumptions are the foci for any theory and thus any paradigm. This type of case study is useful when the researcher wants to understand the role of the phenomenon in achieving the goal. Unrecognized. (2003). You dont need to prove them or calculate them, you simply accept them as givens. You will likely nd research that asks questions aligned to your paradigm Research can be defined as an activity that involves finding out, in a more or less systematic way, things you did not know (Walliman and Walliman, 2011, p.7). Morgan, G., & Smircich, L. (1980). This philosophy has been more recent in development, but its roots are in the philosophy of Plato and his teacher Socrates, who held that the truth, even if it is only dimly shadowed by human approximations of it, can only be approached through careful reflection and dialog with others. The Academy of Management Review, 5(4), 491500. American Journal of Sociology, 83(6), 13171349. All research builds on philosophical and theoretical foundations. Further, it insists that valid knowledge can only be assumed if all observers come up with essentially the same description of a thing. We can only know what we can learn in thoughtful discussion with other seekers. Grounded Theory Methods, Examples and Research Problem Examples, Types and Guide. WebMany characteristics make up the collective term of qualitative research, Methods used specify a certain framework in which researchers operate, Within this framework, there Writing Center. The researcher collects data from multiple sources, such as interviews, observations, and documents, and uses various techniques to analyze the data, such as grounded theory or content analysis. Find step-by-step guidance to complete your research project. As a result, the research tradition you select will reflect your assumptions about the world, and will shape the decisions you make throughout the entire research process. WebMethods Map. This visualization demonstrates how methods are related and connects users to relevant content. Often, documenting how you overcame obstacles can form an interesting part of the methodology. Explication of assumptions is even more crucial in research methods used to test the theories. 0000001034 00000 n Challenging Assumptions is a sense-making technique designed to break apart a statement and discover where assumptions may be limiting your options. Understanding educational research. The most noteworthy variations of interpretivism include the following: Unnecessary Explanation of Basic Procedures As Schneider notes, a method refers to the technical steps taken to do research. Assumptions underlying research data. The power of truth unfolds before our eyes. Which Stats Test. Why is it important to challenge your own assumptions? The methodology section of your paper should clearly articulate the reasons why you have chosen a particular procedure or technique. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental (e.g., correlation) research. A qualitative approach, such as conducting interviews or content analysis of archival texts, can yield exciting new insights about a research problem, but it should not be undertaken simply because you have a disdain for running a simple regression. How do you write a methodological assumption? When you design a research project (indeed, when you design any project at all), there are certain kinds of things you take for granted, that is, assume. There are others, but these two have stood the test of time since the days of Plato and Aristotle. Hammersley, M. (1995). Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33004-0_7, http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/comp2/assume.htm, https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X7800200204, Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. Kaplan, S. A., & Garrett, K. E. (2005). Attitudes and opinions are classic qualitative focuses. 138156). What is Research Methodology? YET ANOTHER NOTE: If your study involves interviews, observations, or other qualitative techniques involving human subjects, you may be required to obtain approval from the university's Office for the Protection of Research Subjects before beginning your research. The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed.). Yauch, C. A., & Steudel, H. J. The researcher collects data from multiple sources, such as interviews, observations, and documents, and uses various techniques to analyze the data, such as content analysis or thematic analysis. University of Wisconsin, Madison;Rudestam, Kjell Erik and Rae R. Newton. Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia 17 (2011): 232-238; Blair Lorrie. 0000000843 00000 n Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Crossan, M. M., Lane, H. W., & White, R. E. (1999). The broad research approach is the . Assumptions help us to get testable hypothesis and solving to them helps us in reaching the correct decision. The primary purpose of a case study is to generate a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the case, including its history, context, and dynamics. It demonstrates to the reader that you can provide a cogent rationale for the decisions you made to minimize the impact of any problems that arose. Ways of Knowing. :s~T6{OLa#t*-P/ByfyUwRZg~,[^sGgn:Pw VKBU^_\7MQ}f0qaech=!(.ev9w9`o8TfTb*5j*{ e>!8m,Sc7//ApiS$K9.8MeSj!-jwWP Gkiq"pdV +eV uq N)Rv@yW;;3hwp#2$W.NH4|>c}l0gT {p Hg+tpI*qlIiZ+k+WVeZcjk2Dg\&.%vq1Hq\M6 Zy /ZXd(Za(SjhbFlE00h|HR\J1/r+p4"k$5{Y2+)3KD>%]FT[Ntj/l]'T>ZFc.Q8gk]\CzGH,R@FOiT.HDd+DzI$gmT2~?dj% L"sj(/!UrV.XALFvXjp9&\J"?a6, l7F1bv:L"gOyRe Case studies are widely used in social sciences to examine human behavior, social phenomena, and cultural practices. Here are some common data collection methods for case studies: Interviews involve asking questions to individuals who have knowledge or experience relevant to the case study. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008. Epistemological assumptions are about what can be known. A common method of analyzing research problems in the social sciences is to analyze specific cases. Psychology Writing Center. The description of how you prepared to study the research problem, how you gathered the data, and the protocol for analyzing the data should be organized chronologically. Mingers, J. Kreiner, Hollensbe, and Sheep (2009) published a qualitative study, "Balancing Borders and Bridges: Negotiating the Work-Home Interface via Boundary Work Tactics," designed to determine attitudes and opinions of clergy in balancing their work and home lives. For instance, if you wish to study the concept of leadership, you take it for granted that leadership is something real. One of the most important assumptions in survey research is that the questionnaire is reliable. A framework that I use to explain the interaction of these three components is seen in Figure 1.1. Methodology is the philosophical framework within which the research is conducted or the foundation upon which the research is based (Brown, 2006). endstream endobj 1 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 2 0 obj <>stream Secondary data research is also popular with interpretivism philosophy. The methodology should discuss the problems that were anticipated and the steps you took to prevent them from occurring. An instrumental case study is used to understand a particular phenomenon that is instrumental in achieving a particular goal. Then the researcher interprets those words to create a new reality, a set of themes or descriptions that transcends what any single individual may have thought before. His assumption of secretarial duties was timely. American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(6), 773791. Google Scholar. Artifacts are physical objects relevant to the case study. Why is it important to challenge your own assumptions and views? Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in Research can be defined as an activity that involves finding out, in a more or less systematic way, things you did not know (Walliman and Walliman, 2011, p.7). Interviews can be conducted in person, over the phone, or through video conferencing. There are two main groups of research methods in the social sciences: The introduction to your methodology section should begin by restating the research problem and underlying assumptions underpinning your study. We identified two key comprehensive roles played by the qualitative research: problematising and contextualising. Philosophical paradigms (world view lenses). Hawkins, D. F. (1978). A second main paradigm or philosophical camp is known as interpretivism, or social constructivism. WebAs stated by Creswell and Plano Clark (2011), a mixed-methods research design is a research design that has its own philosophical assumptions and methods of inquiry. WebPhase 1: The Researcher as a Multicultural Subject Phase 2: Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks Phase 3: Research Strategies and Approaches Phase 4: For Example, a researcher might conduct a multiple-case study on several companies to explore the factors that contribute to their success or failure. :DQ^lHebF_uEgju,t^i_z] The study included interviews, observations, and analysis of data to identify the technical, organizational, and cultural factors that contributed to the disaster. The two main paradigms that govern most traditional social science research. 46 8 Processes of a case study methodology for postgraduate research in marketing. The most important elements of research methodology expected to be covered in business dissertation at Bachelors, Masters Knowledge is objective and quantifiable. Administrative Science Quarterly, 11(2), 238263. The Challenger Disaster: The Challenger Disaster was a case study conducted to examine the causes of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. Is there an assumption in qualitative research? Artifacts can include tools, equipment, products, or other objects that provide insights into the case study phenomenon. Case studies can help researchers to develop theories, test hypotheses, and gain insights into complex social issues. The data on Researchmethod.net is written after analysis of Research papers, Journals, observation, interviews and literature reviews of the subject. This comes from the Greek word "episteme-" which means knowledge. Unstated. The remainder of your methodology section should describe the following: In addition, an effectively written methodology section should: NOTE: Once you have written all of the elements of the methods section, subsequent revisions should focus on how to present those elements as clearly and as logically as possibly. Human Interaction, 3(4), 320351. cG&Fp Do not confuse the terms "methods" and "methodology." Warner, R. S. (1978). Qualitative methods only: phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, heuristics, and generic qualitative. (If you wish to read the entire article, it is available as a link in the Resources area of the Track 2 Courseroom.) hbbd```b``57ddz Scates, D. E. (1940). Table 1. Dominant Research Paradigms and Their Assumptions. For some Interviews can be structured (where the same questions are asked to all participants) or unstructured (where the interviewer follows up on the responses with further questions). You will address your dissertations theoretical framework in Track 3. Social research methods (4th ed.). Literature Review Creswell, J. W., Hanson, W. E., Plano, V. L., & Morales, A. WebMethodological assumptions(research strategies): Using quantitative research methods such as experiments, quasi-experiments, exploratory and analytical models, case studies, and so onwhich require objective measurement and analysisis the only acceptable method to generate valid knowledge. Comprehensive criteria to judge validity and reliability of qualitative research within the realism paradigm. Table of contents What is a hypothesis? How many qualitative interviews is enough. The four sets of assumptions look different from this interpretivist perspective: Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2009). Such assumptions not only underlie laboratory experimentation but social evaluation research as well. Assumptions can be rated on a scale of articulation from tacit to explicit. CrossRef The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Knowing the Relationship Between Theories and Methods. 0000000456 00000 n 8th edition. S-Cool Revision. Mitroff, I., & Bonoma, T. V. (1978). Sharing personal thoughts with another can feel risky. You must explain how you obtained and analyzed your results for the following reasons: Bem, Daryl J. The researcher collects data from multiple sources, such as interviews, observations, and documents, and uses various techniques to analyze the data, such as content analysis or thematic analysis. Quantifiable methods only. They make four key assumptions: ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological assumptions. Bucking, UK: Open University Press. WebAn understanding of the philosophical assumptions behind qualitative research begins withassessing where it fits within the overall process of research, noting its importance as anelement of research, and considering how to actively write it into a study. WebAt the same time, there is an occasional need for seasoned researchers to modify their philosophical assumptions over time and move to a new position on the continuum. Emphasis is on the objective researcher, value free; subjectivity and bias lead to error. University of Washington; Denscombe, Martyn. Weiss, C. H. (2011). For Example, a researcher might conduct a descriptive case study on a particular community to understand its social and economic characteristics. Surveys involve asking a set of questions to a sample of individuals relevant to the case study. 0000001817 00000 n WebMethodology. A. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. The two main paradigms that govern most traditional social science research. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2014; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Robson, C. (1993). (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers 2016), pp. The most important elements of research methodology expected to be covered in business dissertation at Bachelors, Masters WebMethodological assumptions consist of the assumptions made by the researcher regarding the methods used in the process of qualitative research (Creswell 2003). Kallet, Richard H. "How to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper.". Qualitative researchers should note that, except in grounded theory, most qualitative research deigns do not use a theoretical framework. reference: phd_t2_sobt_u03s1_h01_assumptn.html. Thus, positivism leads to the following four sets of assumptions: As should be obvious, such assumptions lead to quantitative studies, which rely on objective measurement of observable phenomena. It does not give an exhaustive description of some object, mentioning only some traits that actually characterize 2. While methods of data collection and data analysis represent the core of research methods, you have to address a range of additional elements within the scope of your research. The act of assuming, or taking to or upon ones self; the act of taking up or adopting. Journal of Documentation, 52(1), 350. 1617). 0000000016 00000 n This is And finally, you take certain methods for learning about obesity for grantedyou assume that there are some methods of inquiry that will be workable and others that will not. The definition of an assumption is an idea that is formed without evidence. Simply put, we can only interpret the truth, not measure it. You may have some data to back up your guess whether its a persona, an insight from early user research, or something your client or stakeholder passes along to Gained through scientific and experimental research. Save how you interpreted the findings for the discussion section]. Therefore, qualitative research requires a more detailed description of the methods used. The researcher collects data from each case, compares and contrasts the findings, and uses various techniques to analyze the data, such as comparative analysis or pattern-matching. When new stuff appears in the conclusion that wasnt discussed in the premises, it usually got there by way of an assumption. Critical realism and constructivism in strategy research: Toward A synthesis. In Track 2, we will focus on the two main paradigms in social science research. (2006). London, UK: Routledge. 2?*RgU:;o(Clsc3Bj%ErgM9N{}`^-Lh.-C>&`H/~Mcpm>EPwM``[ z\'wXUN/ Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioners-researchers. <]/Prev 50995>> However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. New Directions for Program Evaluation, 30, 8592. We call this an ontological assumption, from the Greek word that means "reality". Case studies are used in healthcare to examine patient care, treatment options, and outcomes. A case study is a research method that involves an in-depth examination and analysis of a particular phenomenon or case, such as an individual, organization, community, event, or situation. Multiple realities that are socially constructed by individuals. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. This is how scholarship grows and branches out into new intellectual territory. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 18(5), 709729. Choosing a Methodology. In. Specifically, who qualitative data reveal and challenging assumptions embedded in the process about the nature of an learning process, and exposed the slippery and contested nature of abstracted scale, on which a trial Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of critical xref ", Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper. Observations involve watching and recording the behavior and activities of individuals or groups relevant to the case study. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth. Qualitative methods only: phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, heuristics, and generic qualitative. - 13.214.34.128. The missing link: A transformational view of metaphors in organizational science. Conducting a case study research involves several steps that need to be followed to ensure the quality and rigor of the study. In 2005, Ilhun Gunbayi, I. published an article examining the leadership styles of primary and junior high school teachers if they were to assume the role of a principal. Choosing a Methodology. In Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation, Teaching Writing Series. The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 54(6), 559570. Classification of the philosophical assumptions of management science.

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