Importance of research approach in a research

By Priya Chetty on October 12, 2016

The research approach is a plan and procedure that consists of the steps of broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. It is, therefore, based on the nature of the research problem being addressed. The research approach is essentially divided into two categories:

  1. the approach of data collection and
  2. the approach of data analysis or reasoning.
Research approach and its components
Components of the Research Approach

Types of research approach for data collection

  • Focuses on a single concept or phenomenon
  • Brings personal values into the study
  • Studies the context or setting of participants
  • Validates the accuracy of findings
  • Makes interpretations of the data
  • Collaborates with the participants
  • Tests or verifies theories or explanations
  • Identifies variables to study
  • Relates variables in questions or hypotheses
  • Uses standards of validity and reliability
  • Observes and measure information numerically
  • Uses unbiased approaches
  • Employs statistical procedures
  • Collects both quantitative and qualitative data
  • Integrates the data at different stages of inquiry
  • Presents visual pictures of the procedures in the study
  • Employs the practices of both qualitative and quantitative research
Tend to or TypicallyQualitative ApproachesQuantitative ApproachesMixed Methods Approaches
Use these philosophical assumptionsConstructivist/ transformative knowledge claimsPost-positivist knowledge claims Pragmatic knowledge claims
Employ these strategies of inquiryPhenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, and narrativeSurveys and experimentsSequential, concurrent, and transformative
Employ these methodsOpen-ended questions, emerging approaches, text or image dataClosed-ended questions, predetermined approaches, numeric dataBoth open- and closed-ended questions, both emerging and predetermined approaches, and both quantitative and qualitative data and analysisUse these practices of research as the researcher
Source: Creswell (2013), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Sage Publications

The research approach for data analysis

Approaches to data analysis are of two types:

  1. inductive and
  2. deductive approach.

Qualitative data requires an inductive approach to analysis. On the other hand, quantitative data uses the deductive approach. In a mixed type of data, both inductive and deductive approaches of analysis are utilized. However, there should be some consistency between methods, methodology, and analysis. This is important in order to demonstrate logic. Thus, in order to make the research credible to the reader, the research should lead to the research findings.

Use 634CAE327AA5A to save 2000 on 3001 - 5000 words standard order of methodology.
Order now

Qualitative research

It places great emphasis on the methods used to collect or generate data. However, it places less emphasis on the analytical techniques for the interpretation of data. Furthermore, an Inductive approach primarily uses a detailed reading of secondary data to derive concepts, themes, and models. Therefore, it is widely used for analyzing qualitative data. This begins with the selection of the area of study and builds a theory. The inductive approach includes:

  • Combination of varied secondary data in a brief summary.
  • Creation of clear links between the objectives of the research and the results from the raw data. Also, make those links clear to others and how those links will fulfil the research objective.
  • Developing a theory based on the experiences and processes revealed by the text data (Jebreen 2012).

Choosing an inductive approach through thematic analysis (a ‘data-driven’ approach) for the study determines that the objective of the study is to obtain an understanding of a phenomenon. It does not focus on testing the hypothesis.

TIP

Thematic analysis can realistically present experiences, meaning, and the reality of participants. This can also be used to examine the effects of those experiences, events, and realities operating within society.

Quantitative research

Quantitative research often translates into the use of statistical analysis to make the connection between what is known and what can be learned by research. Consequently, analyzing data with quantitative strategies requires an understanding of the relationships among variables by either descriptive or inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics helps to draw inferences about populations and to estimate the parameters (Trochim 2000).

Inferential statistics are based on descriptive statistics and the assumptions that generalize the population from a selected sample (Trochim 2000). Quantitative data requires statistical analysis to test hypotheses. A deductive approach is popularly used as it enables the research to reason from generic to specific. In addition deduction from general perspectives leads the researcher to develop a theoretical framework (hypothesis) and test it thereby concluding a specific conclusion. The deductive approach of analysis or reasoning consists of of­ the following steps:

  • Exploration of theories.
  • Development of theoretical framework or hypotheses.
  • Observation through statistical testing of hypotheses.
  • Confirmation of a specific conclusion drawn logically from premises (Soiferman 2010).

However, it appears that choosing one research approach over another severely limits the scope of the study. As Creswell & Clark (2011) observed, one approach alone cannot answer all the questions that might emerge in the course of researching a topic. In order to facilitate a more comprehensive study, researchers should have access to all available research tools. The dichotomy, therefore, should be reconsidered and researchers should become proficient in both types of approaches. While selecting the research approach aim and research problem should be taken into consideration.

References

  • Creswell, J.W., 2013. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, SAGE Publications.
  • Creswell, J.W. & Clark, V.L.P., 2011. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, SAGE Publications. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?id=YcdlPWPJRBcC&pgis=1 [Accessed May 20, 2015].
  • Jebreen, I., 2012. Using Inductive Approach as Research Strategy in Requirements Engineering. International Journal of Computer and Information Technology, 01(02), pp.162–173.
  • Soiferman, K.L., 2010. Compare and Contract Inductive and Deductive Research Approaches. University of Manitoba.
  • Trochim, W.M.K., 2000. Introduction to Validity. Social Research Methods 2nd ed., Cincinnati, Ohio: Atomic Dog Publishing

Discuss

28 thoughts on “Importance of research approach in a research”