Research Strategies - Reference Note 1

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman, Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research 1 Student’s Guides: Note 1 Research Strategies Reference Book : Business Research Methods by Alan Bryman & Emma Bell (2007) Oxford University Press Reading guide The chief aim of this Note1 is to show that a variety of considerations enter into the process of doing management and business research. The distinction that is commonly drawn among writers on and practitioners of social research between quantitative research and qualitative research is explored in relation to these considerations. This chapter explores: the nature of the relationship between theory and research, in particular whether theory guides research (known as a deductive approach) or whether theory is an outcome of research (known as an inductive approach) epistemological issuesthat is, ones to do with what is regarded as appropriate knowledge about the social world, one of the most crucial aspects is the question of whether or not a natural science model of the research process is suitable for the study of the social world; ontological issuesthat is, ones to do with whether the social world is regarded as something external to social actors or as something that people are in the process of fashioning; the ways in which these issues relate to the widely used distinction in the social sciences between two types of research strategy: quantitative and qualitative research; there is also a preliminary discussion, which will be followed up in Chapter 24, that suggests that, while quantitative and qualitative research represent different approaches to social research, we should be wary of driving a wedge between them; the ways in which values and practical issues also impinge on the social research process.

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Transcript of Research Strategies - Reference Note 1

Page 1: Research Strategies - Reference Note 1

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

1

Student’s Guides: Note 1 – Research Strategies

Reference Book : Business Research Methods by Alan Bryman & Emma Bell (2007) Oxford

University Press

Reading guide

The chief aim of this Note1 is to show that a variety of considerations enter into the process of doing management and business research. The distinction that is commonly drawn among writers on and practitioners of social research between quantitative research and qualitative research is explored in relation to these considerations. This chapter explores:

the nature of the relationship between theory and research, in particular whether theory guides research (known as a deductive approach) or whether theory is an outcome of research (known as an inductive approach)

epistemological issues—that is, ones to do with what is regarded as appropriate knowledge about the social world, one of the most crucial aspects is the question of whether or not a natural science model of the research process is suitable for the study of the social world;

ontological issues—that is, ones to do with whether the social world is regarded as something external to social actors or as something that people are in the process of fashioning;

the ways in which these issues relate to the widely used distinction in the social sciences between two types of research strategy: quantitative and qualitative research; there is also a preliminary discussion, which will be followed up in Chapter 24, that suggests that, while quantitative and qualitative research represent different approaches to social research, we should be wary of driving a wedge between them;

the ways in which values and practical issues also impinge on the social research process.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Slide 1.1 Research Strategies

Authored by David McHugh

Bryman & Bell, Business Research

Methods, 2nd edition, Chapter 1

Business research strategies

‘All social research is a coming together of the

ideal and the feasible’.

Working from the quote the main point to make here is that research not a cut & dried affair. This is especially true of undergraduate/masters dissertation research as research possibilities are often driven by access and constrained by the opportunities available to the lone researcher (see 1. in Problem Spotting section at end). Research strategy is a complex topic but in practice is mainly a matter of making & justifying choices. Possibly the most crucial thing is to know is where to find the info you need as even professional researchers often use a ‘cookbook’ approach.

Slide 1.2 The Field of Management Research

Authored by David McHugh

The Field of Management Research

Sub Fields

Discipline base

Psychology Sociology Anthropology Economics

Organisational

Behaviour

Human ResourceManagement

IndustrialRelations

Marketing

Strategy

Accounting& Finance

OperationalResearch

Note that sub-fields are eclectic in content and only separate in conceptual terms, e.g. HRM itself could be considered as a sub-field of OB, IR & strategy.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

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Slide 1.3 Research Classifications

Authored by David McHugh

Research Classifications

• Exploratory/descriptive

• Analytical/crit ical

• Predictive/confirmatory

• Action/applied

This slide represents a conceptual classification or research typology additional to the material in the text – its main purpose is to introduce discussion of different types or approaches to research and as a link to point students to the ‘Research Project Guide’ section of the site. Possibly best to use simple examples of categories here: Exploratory/descriptive – informal interview Analytical/critical – survey/ethnography Predictive/confirmatory – experiment Action/applied – diagnostic survey

Slide 1.4 The Status of Management Research

Authored by David McHugh

The Status of Management Research

‘Both academic researchers and management

consultants are in professional services; they are

“intellectuals,” “knowledge workers”, or even

“gold-collar workers”; they belong to “knowledge-

based organizations,” a subset of the service

economy’.

Gummeson, E. 1991, p.5.

See Key concept 1.1 The emphasis here is on the sensitivity of client’s agendas & politicised interests e.g. the difficulty of researching topics such as absenteeism, workplace deviancy etc and the pressure to produce solutions.

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Key point: Management and business research is subject to considerable

political debate concerning its relevance to practitioners and its fundamental purpose.

Slide 1.5 Modes of Knowledge Production

Authored by David McHugh

Modes of Knowledge Production

••• Mode 1Mode 1Mode 1– tradit ional, university-

based

– academic audience

– pure and applied

– built upon existing

knowledge

– more linear process

– limited emphasis on

dissemination

••• Mode2Mode2Mode2– involves:

• academics

• policy-makers

• practit ioners

– trans-disciplinarity

– related to context • not easily replicated

– less linear process

– more emphasis on dissemination & exploitation

Based on Gibbons et al. (1994)

This is probably a good point to ask for some reflection from students using the questions from p.6 in text:

What is the aim or function of management research?

Is it conducted primarily in order to find ways of improving organizational performance?

Or is it mainly about increasing our understanding of how organizations work?

Who are the audiences of management research?

Is management research conducted primarily for managers and if not, for whom else in organizations is it conducted?

Or is it done in order to further the academic development of management and business as a field or even as a discipline?

Additionally/alternatively you could explore points 1-4 on pp.6-7

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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Slide 1.6 Theory & Social Research

Authored by David McHugh

Theory & Social Research

• Two types of theory:––– Grand theoriesGrand theoriesGrand theories

• offer few indications to influence the collection of empirical evidence

• do not necessarily link well with the real world

• are said to be of limited use in connection with social research

• do not typically guide management and business research

––– Theories of the middle rangeTheories of the middle rangeTheories of the middle range• operate in limited domains

• vary in purpose or application

• fall somewhere between grand theories and empirical findings

• represent attempts to understand and explain limited aspects of social life?

Refer to text p.7-8 & the discussion of Merton. Grand theories can be presented as good at integrating findings of research into theoretical frames, middle-range theories as giving more guidance as to possible directions of research and generating research questions.

Slide 1.7 Examples of Grand Theory

Authored by David McHugh

Examples of Grand Theory

• Structural-functionalism

• Symbolic Interactionism

• Critical theory

• Poststructuralism

• Structuration theory (see Key concept 1.1)

See Research in focus 1.2 – the point is that though grand theories can inform research, results often tell us more about the explanatory power of the theory itself or are used to support the veracity of the theory against competing theories than they do to integrate knowledge about a social situation.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

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Slide 1.8 Examples of Mid Range Theories

Authored by David McHugh

Examples of Mid Range Theories

• Strategic choice

• Trait theory

• Contingency theory

• Labour Process theory (see Research in focus 1.2)

Here you can either:

1. Refer to Research in focus 1.3 and & give an example of labour process theory research

2. Emphasise the discussion of contingency theory in the text

3. Or for a more OB related course use an example of trait theory in

different strands of research – personality, stress, career development etc.

Slide 1.9 Theory and Literature

Authored by David McHugh

Theory and Literature

• Uses of literature:– not just naive empiricism (see Key concept1.4)

– characteristic of ‘fact-finding exercises'

– descriptive & exploratory

– literature can act as a proxy for theory

– theory can be latent or implicit in the literature

• Theory driven by:– neglected aspects of topics

– ideas not previously tested

– deficiency of existing approaches

– newly published ideas or findings

You could spend some time explaining empiricism, referring to Key concept 1.4 Alternatively you could point out that in student research it is often theory that drives how to proceed with research questions regardless of status of theory,

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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i.e. uncritical usage treats all theory as of equal status (see 2. in Problem Spotting section at end).

Slide 1.10 Deduction and Induction

Authored by David McHugh

Deduction and Induction

••• DeductionDeductionDeduction:

– Theory observations/findings

••• InductionInductionInduction:

– Observations/findings theory

Use this slide mainly as a link to introduce slides 1.11 & 1.12, but point out that both deductive research & inductive research comprise elements of each other and it is rare that student research uses a pure version of either (see 3. in Problem Spotting section at end).

Key point: Theory can be depicted as something that precedes research (as in quantitative research) or as something that emerges out of it (as in qualitative research).

Slide 1.11 The Process of Deduction

Authored by David McHugh

The Process of Deduction

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Data collection

• Findings

• Hypotheses confirmed or rejected

• Revision of theory Figure 1.1 – see Research in

focus 1.5

See Research in focus 1.5 - you could use this as an opportunity to explain relevance of the null hypothesis.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

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You could also use Research in focus 1.5 to point out use of deductive research to produce findings and of inductive research to interpret findings.

Slide 1.12 The Process of Induction

Authored by David McHugh

The Process of Induction

• Compare theory

• Develop theory

• Look for patterns

• Form Categories

• Ask Questions

• Gather information

See Research in focus 1.6 (& 1.11) Point out that the use of inductive research to develop categories for deductive research shows the cyclical and/or interdependent nature of the research process within a discipline even where individual choices about research projects may emphasise one over the other – could also link this to the research example re slide 1.14.

Slide 1.13 Influences on Social Research

Authored by David McHugh

Influences on Social Research

Social Research

Epistemology

Practical considerations

Theory

OntologyValues

Figure 1.2

Use mainly as an introduction to slides 1.14-20

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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Slide 1.14 Epistemology and Ontology

Authored by David McHugh

Epistemology and Ontology

EpistemologyEpistemologyEpistemology:

Natural science

model

Positivism

Realism

Empirical realism

Critical realism

Interpretivism

Verstehen

Phenomenology

Hermeneutics

OntologyOntologyOntology:

Objectivism

Structural analysis

Attitudinal analysis

Constructionism

Categorical analysis

Discourse analysis

Emphasise the categories as indicators of different strands of research/analysis which can be applied to the same research topic. You might also point out that objectivism and constructionism are often referred to under the blanket heading of ‘anti-positivism’ with the implication that they embody a series of disparate approaches that often only have their opposition to positivism in common. Key point: Epistemological considerations loom large in considerations of

research strategy. To a large extent, these revolve around the desirability of employing a natural science model (and in particular positivism) versus interpretivism.

Ontological considerations, concerning objectivism versus constructionism, also constitute important dimensions of the quantitative/qualitative contrast.

Slide 1.15 What Is Positivism?

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Authored by David McHugh

What Is Positivism?

Five elements:

See Key concept 1.7 & Research

in focus 1.8

1. Phenomalism - knowledge must be confirmed by the senses

2. Inductivism - facts gathered to generate laws

3. Deductivism - role of theory is generation of hypotheses to be tested

4. Objectivism - objectivity in the gathering and analysis of data

5. Concern with scientific rather than normativestatements

You could either discuss or explain the difference between scientific & normative statements: Discussion point: introduce the notions of falsifiability & probability: Falsifiablity - Popper, which is basically the notion that to 'prove' or verify any hypotheses it has to be examined under all conditions and contexts, which is practicably impossible, and that science progresses by the serial disproof of hypotheses. Probability - mixes falsification and verification in focus on testing statistical significance of hypotheses predicted from laws, possibly the main form of positivism these days and an important distinction in that we can often only show a probability value for even the disproof of a hypothesis because of a reliance on correlational data.

Slide 1.16 What is Realism?

Authored by David McHugh

What is Realism?

• Natural and social sciences can and should apply the same approach to collecting data and to explanation

• There is an external reality to which scientists direct their at tention (see glossary in text)

• Empirical realism– asserts that, through the use of appropriate methods, external reality

can be understood

– Implies that categories refer to real objects

• Critical realism– recognizes the reality of the natural order

– recognizes events and discourses of the social world

– seeks to identify the structures at work that generate those events and discourses

– admits into explanation theoret ical terms not directly amenable to observation

See Key Concept 1.9

Explain how critical realism tries to bridge the gap between objectivist & constructionist approaches & link this to slide 1.21 & the discussion of paradigms.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Slide 1.17 What is Interpretivism?

Authored by David McHugh

What is Interpretivism?

Interpretivism is taken to denote an alternative to the

positivist orthodoxy that has held sway for decades. It is

predicated upon the view that a strategy is required that

respects the differences between people and the

objects of the natural sciencesand therefore requires

the social scientist to grasp the subjective meaning of

social action. Its intellectual heritage includes: Weber's

notion of Verstehen; the hermeneutic-phenomenological

tradition; and symbolic interactionism.

see Key concept 1.10 & Research in focus1.11

Refer to Research in focus 1.11, emphasise how Grint uses leadership as a construct to highlight the experience of leadership as opposed to a set of deductive concepts or categories.

Slide 1.18 What is Objectivism?

Authored by David McHugh

What is Objectivism?

Objectivism is an ontological position that

asserts that social phenomena and their

meanings have an existence that is independent

of social actors. It implies that social phenomena

and the categories that we use in everyday

discourse have an existence that is independent

or separate from actors.

Key concept 1.13

The best approach here may be to point out how conventional wisdom treats organisations as concrete, objective entities and then using the examples of social order and culture from the text show how such constraints reinforce this impression in our everyday experience.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Slide 1.19 What is Constructionism?

Authored by David McHugh

What is Constructionism?

• Also referred to as constructivism

• Social phenomena and their meanings are continually

being generated by social actors

• Social phenomena and categories are produced

through social interaction

• Social phenomena and categories are are in a constant

state of revision

• Researchers' own accounts of the social world are

constructions

• Knowledge is viewed as indeterminate

see Key concept 1.14 & Research in focus 1.15

Refer to Key concept 1.14 & Research in focus 1.15 emphasise the notion of sense-making processes in the Linstead example.

Slide 1.20 Fundamental Differences Between Quantitative

and Qualitative Research Strategies

Authored by David McHugh

Fundamental Differences Between Quantitative

and Qualitative Research Strategies Quantitative Qualitative

Principal orientation to the role of theory in relation to research

Deductive Inductive

Epistemological orientation

Natural science model, in particular positivism

Interpretivism

Ontological orientation

Objectivism Constructionism

Table 1.1

Use this as a link to introduce debates in Chapters 24 & 25 on hybrid research and/or introduce the theme of feminist research reflected throughout the text. Key point: Quantitative and qualitative research constitute different

approaches to social investigation and carry with them important epistemological and ontological considerations.

Feminist researchers have tended to prefer a qualitative

approach, though there is some evidence of a change of viewpoint in this regard.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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Slide 1.21 Paradigms

Authored by David McHugh

Paradigms

• A cluster of beliefs and dictates that influence:

– What should be studied

– How research should be done

– How results should be interpreted

• Features:

– Incommensurability

– Social science consists of competing paradigms and

is itself pre-paradigmatic

see Key concept 1.16

Perhaps it is best here to simply explain the notion of notion of incommensurability and preface a wider discussion of the issue in relation to slide 1.23. Refer to Key concept 1.16 – explanation of Thomas Kuhn’s Scientific Politics; the notion that natural and positivist science does not follow even its own laws of progress and laws change to follow social/situational expediency. Methods are mainly to examine accounts and cases of scientific work to elicit political, organisational or professional influences on scientific progress. Discussion point: Kuhn's theory itself could be said to constitute a form of law:

but the point is that change and often scientific work in itself is not always pursued for scientific reasons. Key point: These considerations have informed the ‘four paradigm’ model

which has been an important influence on business and management research.

(New) Dominant paradigm -

(normal science)

Empirical anomalies

Alternative theories -

(rejected and vilified in the main)

Crisis

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Slide 1.22 Social Paradigms

Authored by David McHugh

Social Paradigms

Functionalist

Rationality

Problem-solving

Interpretive

Social construction?

Experiental

Radical structuralist

Structural power

Conflict

Radical humanist

Social arrangements

Emancipatory practice

Radical

Regulatory

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Based on Burrell & Morgan, 1981

This is based on Burrell and Morgan’s (1979) Refer to the text p. 26. You could possibly explain Burrell & Morgan’s four strands of analysis:

Ontology

Epistemology

Methodology

Theory of human nature Discussion point: Organisation Theory has moved along since Burrell &Morgan produced the original of this, notably in the areas of labour process theory and other notions ranging from post-fordism to post modernism, a good exercise here would perhaps be to attempt to locate these approaches on the 'map' of organisation theory.

Slide 1.23 Multiple Paradigm Research

Authored by David McHugh

Multiple Paradigm Research

• Functionalist

– Survey of job motivation

• Interpretive

– Conversational data on work routines

• Radical humanist

– Descriptive analysis of management training

• Radical structuralist

– Historical analysis of employment relationsBased on Hassard 1991, see Research in focus1.17

Refer to Research in focus 1.17 – emphasise Hassard’s work as embodying alternate versions of the same reality. You could also possibly reprise the issue of incommensurability as discussed on p.26 of the text.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

Extra Reading on General Introduction of Research

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Slide 1.24 Values

Authored by David McHugh

Values

• Can reflect the beliefs or feelingsof a researcher

• Can produce biasat any or all points in the social research process, e.g.:

– choice of research area and methods

– formulation of research question, research design and data collection techniques

– implementation of data collection

– analysis and interpretation of data

– Conclusions

• Can produce affinity or sympathy, especially to underdog groups

• Can be antithetical to values of many managers

Emphasise the debate between value-laden & value free research as a link to the next chapter.

Key point: Values may impinge on the research process at different times.

Slide 1.25 Practical Considerations

Authored by David McHugh

Practical Considerations

• May influence or determine choices on:

– research strategy

– design

– method

– resources & costs

• May be influenced or determined by:

– nature of the topic

– people being investigated

– polit ical acceptability

Discussion point: Take the opportunity here to remind students of the Research Project Guide where these issues will be discussed further and ask for examples of the kind of practical considerations students have or may face in their own dissertations/projects. Key point: Practical considerations in decisions about research methods

are also important.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY by Mr. Shaya’a Othman,

Academic Fellow, INSANIAH University College

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Problem-spotting

1. It is difficult for business students to take a purist approach to research due to practical considerations, especially timescale & difficulties of access – thus feasibility is a major factor of research projects.

2. There is a tendency to treat theories and models uncritically and as

themselves embodying particular perspectives rather than examining the methodological stance or methods of the research they are based on – or else students may critique particular studies on a methodological basis, but often fail to examine the methodological basis of theories and models they adopt e.g. Blake & Mouton’s managerial grid or Belbin’s role analysis.

3. Students often use phenomenological strategies, qualitative methods in

general and specific approaches such as grounded theory as if they were interchangeable, it is important to be as specific as possible when specifying methodological approaches in these areas.