Research Methodology IVResearch Methodology IV

BTech ITBTech IT

Cape Peninsula University (CPUT)Cape Peninsula University (CPUT) Faculty of Informatics & Design (FID)Faculty of Informatics & Design (FID)

Lecturer:Lecturer: Nhlanhla Mlitwa Nhlanhla Mlitwa

Research Methodology IV - Research & Research Process

Problem

Interest Area

Idea

DisseminationChoice of Method Data Analysis

Data Collection

Operationalisation

Interpretation

Research Design

Objective

Conceptualisation

Question/s

Research DesignResearch Design

- Whatever you do should be guided by, and be compliant

with your research design.

It is:

- - Plan, blueprint, map, re - how research is to unfold

- A Basis upon which research process is built, is Informed by a research objective

- Cannot have research process without (or even outside of) research design

Research Design

Let us look at these 2 separate, but related phenomena.Let us look at these 2 separate, but related phenomena.

The PROBLEM + QUESTION tell you what to do next.The PROBLEM + QUESTION tell you what to do next.

Don’t confuse a research design with a methodology.Don’t confuse a research design with a methodology.

Research DesignResearch DesignResearch Design Research MethodologyResearch Methodology

Point of DeparturePoint of Departure: Research : Research problem or questionproblem or question

Point of DeparturePoint of Departure: Task at hand : Task at hand (data collection; sampling; etc)(data collection; sampling; etc)

FocusFocus:: End Product – what kind End Product – what kind of study; what kind of results are of study; what kind of results are aimed at (OBJECTIVE).aimed at (OBJECTIVE).

FocusFocus: : Process, procedures, & Process, procedures, & kind of tools to be used.kind of tools to be used.

FocusFocus:: Logic of Research – what Logic of Research – what kind of evidence is necessary to kind of evidence is necessary to address the question adequatelyaddress the question adequately

FocusFocus:: Individual steps, and the Individual steps, and the most objective proceduresmost objective procedures

Research DesignHave research problem, & question. You

want a method of addressing them. Remember:Methods used in research vary according to the tasks they Methods used in research vary according to the tasks they

perform. perform. They range from sampling techniques, to data-collection,

and data analysis methods.

But which method to select, when, how and why?

Selection of methods are Selection of methods are always dependantalways dependant on the aims & on the aims & objectivesobjectives of study; Nature of of study; Nature of phenomenonphenomenon under study; & under study; & the the underlying theoryunderlying theory (if any) or the (if any) or the expectationsexpectations of the of the investigation. investigation.

Objective + Meta TheoryHow the objective determines the choice of methodology? How the objective determines the choice of methodology?

Novices would move from the interest and idea, and try to Novices would move from the interest and idea, and try to solve every problem that exists on the subject. You cannot go solve every problem that exists on the subject. You cannot go to the UK, USA, Australia, and Russia at the same time, can to the UK, USA, Australia, and Russia at the same time, can you? you?

Knowing your objectives helps you decide on the map to get Knowing your objectives helps you decide on the map to get there. Even after choosing your destination, you cannot there. Even after choosing your destination, you cannot choose several routes at the same time. choose several routes at the same time. You simply disregard routes leading elsewhere, but to your You simply disregard routes leading elsewhere, but to your destination. destination. This leads us to the notion of a meta-theoryThis leads us to the notion of a meta-theory

Objective + Meta-TheoryMeta-TheoryMeta-Theory In simplistic form, refers to thinking about the In simplistic form, refers to thinking about the nature of scientific enquiry. nature of scientific enquiry.

It is a phenomenon about existing theories that It is a phenomenon about existing theories that are appropriate for specific forms of enquiry.are appropriate for specific forms of enquiry.

It is a theory not in its own right, but a theory It is a theory not in its own right, but a theory about theories. about theories.

The word “meta” (Greek), means “beyond” or “over”. The word “meta” (Greek), means “beyond” or “over”. Metatheory refers to reflections & critiques regarding the Metatheory refers to reflections & critiques regarding the theoretical application/s of a theorytheoretical application/s of a theory

Let us look at critical examples.Let us look at critical examples.

Meta-theory + Choosing a methodologyMeta TheoryMeta Theory –– concerns itself with the: concerns itself with the: NatureNature AimsAims MethodsMethodsOf scientific enquiry Of scientific enquiry –– as influenced by some as influenced by some

methodological paradigmsmethodological paradigms: Qualitative, : Qualitative, Quantitative, Participation Action Research. Quantitative, Participation Action Research.

Paradigm: methods, principles, techniques+ Paradigm: methods, principles, techniques+ underlying assumptions. underlying assumptions.

The three critical & most influential meta-theoretical The three critical & most influential meta-theoretical traditions are:traditions are:

1. Positivism2. Interpretive / Phenomenology3. Critical theoretical tradition

Meta-Theory +Methodology ChoicesRealise Ontology & Epistemology?Realise Ontology & Epistemology?

PositivismPositivism……is based on: is based on: the notion that the “source of all knowledge is to be found on the notion that the “source of all knowledge is to be found on experienceexperience and and observationobservation”” ((empiricist theoryempiricist theory of knowledge). of knowledge). Idea of similarity between research domains: that natural Idea of similarity between research domains: that natural

science methods equally apply to the study of human factorsscience methods equally apply to the study of human factors DeductiveDeductive form of reasoning form of reasoning Natural interpretation of objectivity – an assumption that Natural interpretation of objectivity – an assumption that

postulates objectivity as limited to clinical, neutral, natural postulates objectivity as limited to clinical, neutral, natural sciences sciences

Meta-theory +Methodology choicesMeta-theory +Methodology choices

- Generalisation/ Generalisability

If you subscribe to this line of thinking, then your research method is likely to prioritise:

- Objective measurement

- Experimental control

- Structural & replicable observations

- Neutrality

- Quantification

Meta-theory + Methodology choice

The main argument here is that since people are continuously constructing, developing, and changing their interpretations of the world, that conceptions of human research should accommodate these flexibilities.

Phenomenology/ Intepretivist

Emphasis: on differences between the object of the natural and social sciences

Emphasis: on understanding people as conscious, self directing beings – rather than the mere biological beings whose actions can be understood only through understanding biochemistry.

Meta-theory +Methodology choices

- Objectivity is understood as inter-subjective

If you & your study subscribe to this line of thinking, then your research method is likely to prioritise:

- Interpretive understanding of meanings and self - Interpretive understanding of meanings and self descriptions of the individual descriptions of the individual

- Require unstructured observations- Require unstructured observations

- Qualitative data analytic methods- Qualitative data analytic methods

- Open understanding- Open understanding

Methodological implications:Methodological implications: - Participation - Participation - Collaborative enquiry - Collaborative enquiry - Experimental research - Experimental research - Social relevance - Social relevance - Individual empowerment - Individual empowerment

Meta-theory + Methodology choiceCritical theory tradition

Emphasis on science as a transformative source: Emphasis on science as a transformative source: don’t be neutral. Don’t interprete the world, change it for the don’t be neutral. Don’t interprete the world, change it for the better (Jurgen Harbamas, 1960’s) better (Jurgen Harbamas, 1960’s)

Meta-theory + Methodology choiceMeta-theory + Methodology choiceEach of the theoretical traditions determine a Each of the theoretical traditions determine a methodological methodological

paradigm paradigm to be applied in a study. to be applied in a study.

Your theoretical tradition & phenomenon of study will determine Your theoretical tradition & phenomenon of study will determine whether you end up with one of the following methodological whether you end up with one of the following methodological paradigms:paradigms:

Quantitative + Deductive ParadigmQuantitative + Deductive Paradigm Qualitative + Inductive paradigmQualitative + Inductive paradigm Participatory Action Research ParadigmParticipatory Action Research Paradigm Mixed approach (triangulation)Mixed approach (triangulation)

The nature of the question/s to be answered will play a The nature of the question/s to be answered will play a significant role in this decisionsignificant role in this decision

Research QuestionResearch Question + Research DesignIt will depend whether you are addressing empirical or non-empirical It will depend whether you are addressing empirical or non-empirical

questions. questions. Example of empirical questions:Example of empirical questions:

Question TypeQuestion Type QuestionQuestion ExampleExample

ExploratoryExploratory What is the caseWhat is the case

What are key factorsWhat are key factors

What are critical factors of successful What are critical factors of successful companies?companies?

DescriptiveDescriptive How many/ How many/

Are X and Y related?Are X and Y related?

How many people died of aids in How many people died of aids in 2007?2007?

CausalCausal Why; What are the Why; What are the causes of Ycauses of Y

What are the main causes of power What are the main causes of power failures in Cape Town?failures in Cape Town?

EvaluativeEvaluative What was the outcome What was the outcome of…?of…?

PredictivePredictive What will be the effect What will be the effect of X over Yof X over Y

What effect will the new anti-biotic What effect will the new anti-biotic have of the population?have of the population?

HistoricalHistorical What led to Y?What led to Y? What led to Thabo Mbeki losing to What led to Thabo Mbeki losing to Jacob Zuma?Jacob Zuma?

……Questions designQuestions designQuestion TypeQuestion Type QuestionQuestion ExampleExample

Meta analyticMeta analytic What is the state of the What is the state of the art about x?art about x?

What are the debates in What are the debates in physics?physics?

What is the state of research on What is the state of research on environmental ethics?environmental ethics?

ConceptualConceptual What is the meaning of What is the meaning of the X concept?the X concept?

What is the meaning of sexual What is the meaning of sexual harassment?harassment?

Theoretical Theoretical What are the most What are the most plausible theories of Xplausible theories of X

What are the most widely accepted What are the most widely accepted theories of competitiveness?theories of competitiveness?

Philosophical/ Philosophical/ normative normative

What is the ideal profile What is the ideal profile of xof x

What is meant by an equitable What is meant by an equitable education systems?education systems?

If you haven’t already, If you haven’t already, Next Week, you Next Week, you will attend a literature - search session will attend a literature - search session

in the Library. in the Library.

You will go straight to the library You will go straight to the library (instead of coming to class). (instead of coming to class).

Details of where to go & who to meet Details of where to go & who to meet there, will be on WebCT by Monday there, will be on WebCT by Monday

MorningMorningThis lecture covers Ch3 & Ch4 This lecture covers Ch3 & Ch4

Till next class, Till next class,

Thank You !Thank You !

More on theories in ISMore on theories in IS

Flynn, D., and Gregory, P. 2004. Flynn, D., and Gregory, P. 2004. The Use of theories in The Use of theories in 20 yrs of WG8.2 Empirical Research; in Kaplan, B., 20 yrs of WG8.2 Empirical Research; in Kaplan, B., Truex III, D.P., Wastell, D., Wood-harper, A.T., and De Truex III, D.P., Wastell, D., Wood-harper, A.T., and De Gross, J.I. 2004Gross, J.I. 2004 (eds.). Information Systems Research: (eds.). Information Systems Research: Relevant Theory and Informed Practice. An IFIP Relevant Theory and Informed Practice. An IFIP Publication; Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Publication; Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Massachusetts, USAMassachusetts, USA

http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jit/journal/v23/n2/full/http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jit/journal/v23/n2/full/2000133a.html2000133a.html