Research Methods I - Lecture 2 - Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

Qualitative, Quantitative,
and Mixed Methods
Research Methods 1, Lecture 2

Before we begin,

SOME CLARIFICATIONS

Research Methods 1 – Jeroen.Moes@MaastrichtUniversity.nl

2

A reminder: what we will do in these courses

(the happy playground)

Getting the Individual ideas
basics right

Group proposal
Mixing & Matching


3

Topics in Research Methods 1

• Feasibility to conduct research in just
4 weeks without any money or other
resources is not a concern. Think big.
• Your topics as input for discussion.
• Your topics as the basis for your
graded assignments.


4

Topics in Research Methods 2

• Final proposal needs to be feasible:
– Possible to finish in just 4 weeks.
– Possible to conduct with about 4 people.
– No additional financial resources (sadly).

• You may use your topic for RM1 as a
starting point; not required though.


5

What is a “Research Paper”?

• Not just a literature/theory review.
(Though it still needs to include that too.)

• Consists of empirical data & analysis.
= Based on observations, measurements, or
experiences.
≠ Based only on theory or pure logic.


6

Before analysis, before data, and before methodology, there is:

PHILOSOPHY


7


8

Truth

9

Objectivity

10

Knowledge

11

Paradigm
(worldview)

12

Ontology & Epistemology

• Ontology: The study of what exists,
and how things that exist are
understood and categorized.
• Epistemology: How we come to have
legitimate knowledge of the world;
rules for knowing.


13

Basic Process of doing Research

Define topic

Formulate
question

Decide on
approach

Gather
information
(data)

Analyze

Present

How do I see
the world, and
what are my
assumptions?


14

So let‟s give names to some of those

PARADIGMS


15

Some „-isms‟ (paradigms)

• Realism
• Empiricism
• Positivism
• Relativism
• Social Constructivism (& interpretivism)
• Subjectivism
• Pragmatism

16

Induction revisited
• Example 1:

(weak)

– A: It took me 10 minutes from UCM to the
lecture today.
– B: It will take me 10 minutes again next week.

• Example 2: (strong)
– A: All life forms we know consist partly of water.
– B: Potential life forms that we don‟t know of yet,
likely also consist partly of water.


17

Deduction revisited
• Example 1:

(‘deductive nomological model’)

(correct)

– A: All people are mortal.
– B: Students are people.
– C: All students are mortal.

• Example 2:

(incorrect)

– A: All enrolled students also come to the lecture.
– B: Students who go to lectures get high grades.
– C: All students who enroll get high grades.


18

Connecting the dots:

QUANTITATIVE, QUALITATIVE,
MIXED METHODS


19

Three approaches to research

• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed Methods


20

Quantitative approaches

• What is it?
• Rules of thumb:
– Typical philosophical assumptions
– Typical „logical‟ aims
• Mostly confirmatory
• Mostly nomothetic

• Academic disciplines
• Styles of writing

21

Strategies of Inquiry: Quantitative

There are several research designs that
are quantitative, these include:
Causal-comparative research
Correlational design
Survey research
Experimental research


22

Qualitative approaches

• What is it?
• Rules of thumb:
– Typical philosophical assumptions
– Typical „logical‟ aims:
• Often more exploratory than quantitative
• Mostly idiographic


23

Qualitative

• Usually particularistic (idiographic)
• Often holistic (considering a phenomenon in
its whole context)


24

Strategies of Inquiry: Qualitative

In this type of research several
approaches may be used, including:
Narrative research
Phenomenological research
Grounded theory
Ethnography
Case studies

25

Mixed Methods approaches

• What is it?
• Rules of thumb:
– Philosophical assumptions & „logical‟ aims



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Why do Mixed Methods?

“Methods should be mixed in a way that has complementary
strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses. It involves the
recognition that all methods have their limitations as well as
their strengths.”
- Johnson and Turner (2003)


27

Mixed Methods: it depends…

The way a Mixed Methods study is set
up depends on several factors:
– Specific practices in an academic
discipline
– The type of research question in the
project
– Resources (money, time, etc.)


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Strategies of Inquiry: Mixed Methods

Assumes that one type of database or
method of analysis may be used to
inform and explain another. Some
mixed methods include:
– Convergent parallel mixed methods
– Explanatory sequential mixed methods
– Exploratory sequential mixed methods

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Before you leave, some

FINAL NOTES


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Assignment 1: “Formulating Questions”

• Deadline (the week after Carnival):
– Before Monday 10 March on Safe
Assignment
– By Monday 10 March at 13:00 at the
Office of Student Affairs (OSA)

• Weight: 30% of final grade
• Individual assignment

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Assignment 1: “Formulating Questions”
• What counts:
– Paper of 2000 – 3000 words (3-4 pages)
– Presentation in tutorial (max. 5 minutes)

• Elements in the paper (at least):
–
–
–
–

Research question (& hypotheses if applicable)
Social / scientific relevance of the topic
Basic theory & earlier empirical work on this subject
A suggested research approach for this question
(including a description of what kind of approach this would
be, and why/how this would answer the central question)

– Your philosophical-methodological considerations

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At the Cutting Edge: Research in Practice
Next Wednesday (19 Feb), 18:00, UCM Lecture Hall:

Harm Hospers
Harm Hospers will be interviewed about his research,
his fieldwork in countries like Tanzania and
Indonesia, and about the delicate balance between
being an academic, an observer, and feeling a strong
sense of engagement with the ones you observe.

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Research Methods I - Lecture 2 - Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

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