Summary Unit Research Methods (+ lectures) HPI4005
Opening lecture Unit Research Methods (H. Verbeek)
The Scientific Method identifies five main steps of knowledge creation:
1. Definition of a research question
2. Develop a research design according to a paradigm
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Data reporting
Lecture Research Paradigms – Overview of Methodologies (M. Pavlova)
Research: the systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources etc, in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions. discover new or collate old facts by scientific
studies.
Why research?
- Advancement of science (basic research) better understanding of things, learning
of new things
- Solution to specific problem (applied research) support for policy formation and
implementation, improvement in technology
- To satisfy intellectual curiosity and develop new skills.
Paradigm: (concept/ thought pattern) it stands for the entire constellation of beliefs,
values, techniques and so on shared by the members of a community. On the other, it
denotes one set of elements in that constellation, the concrete puzzle-solution which, can
replace explicit rules as a basis for the solution of the remaining puzzles of normal science.
- It guides research on problems and solutions
- It sets standards and methods
- It institutionalizes the way knowledge is being taught and transferred
- It provides problems or questions to be studied
- It offers a disciplinary matrix.
Key differences between paradigms:
Ontology: how do we define what is real (nature of reality and assumptions)
o Objectivism: social phenomina exist in reality external to social actors
concerned with their existence
o Subjectivism: social phenomena are created from the perceptions and
consequent actions concerned with their existence.
Epistemology: what is the researcher’s position? Studies the nature, methods,
limitations and validity of knowledge and beliefs.
Methodology: how do we gain knowledge? Theoretical and philosophical
assumptions upon which research is based.
Causality: how do we determine relationships? Related to the objective to determine
which variable might causing a certain behavior (x y)
Axiology: what is the role of values? A branch of philosophy that studies judgements
about value (topic, philosophical approach).
1
,2
, Paradigms knowledge claims:”
Positivist or post-positivist (Social) Constructivism
Knowledge is conjectural Knowledge based on understanding and
Based on empirical observation interpretation
Reductionist in nature Focus on social processes and cultural
Knowledge based on theory verification antecedents
Researchers position themselves within the
research
Advocacy/ participatory Pragmatism
Politically and empowerment oriented Focus on consequences of actions and
Collaborative methods of inquiry solutions to problems (what, how and what
Aims to ‘give voice’ to minorities works)
Focused on changing processes, policies Pluralistic (adopt multiple paradigms)
and practices Real world oriented
Deductive research: approach with precise measurement of quantitative data to enable the
discovery and confirmation of causal laws (theory data). Begins with the idea and uses the
date to confirm or negate the idea (hypothesis testing).
Inductive research: approach with communication and observation of qualitative data to
discover the reasons for events (data theory). Uses data to generate ideas (hypothesis
generating).
Deductive/ Empirical approach Inductive/ Interpretative approach
Ontology and epistemology
There is one objective reality (one truth) Multiple subjective realities (many truths)
Reality is independent of those who observe Reality is constructed by the individuals who
it participate in it
Unbiased observations It is constructed differently by different
individuals
Researchers interact with environment
Methodology
Population based perspective Case-based perspective
Focus on general trends Focus on different realities created by
Social environment constant across time different individuals
Local variations are considered noise Study of cases in a specific social
Variables expressed on numerical scales environment
Use mathematics to analyze relationships Verbal descriptions of what is observed
Deductive analysis Analytic induction: search through data bit by
bit
Causality and axiology
Focus on mechanical causality among Individuals interpretation of situations cause
subjects/objects individual actions
Generalization based on statistical Generalization of findings made on a case-
techniques by case basis
Inquiry is value free Focus on transferability instead of
generalization
Inquiry can be value bounded (biased)
Empirical and interpretative approach summarized:
3
Opening lecture Unit Research Methods (H. Verbeek)
The Scientific Method identifies five main steps of knowledge creation:
1. Definition of a research question
2. Develop a research design according to a paradigm
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Data reporting
Lecture Research Paradigms – Overview of Methodologies (M. Pavlova)
Research: the systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources etc, in order to
establish facts and reach new conclusions. discover new or collate old facts by scientific
studies.
Why research?
- Advancement of science (basic research) better understanding of things, learning
of new things
- Solution to specific problem (applied research) support for policy formation and
implementation, improvement in technology
- To satisfy intellectual curiosity and develop new skills.
Paradigm: (concept/ thought pattern) it stands for the entire constellation of beliefs,
values, techniques and so on shared by the members of a community. On the other, it
denotes one set of elements in that constellation, the concrete puzzle-solution which, can
replace explicit rules as a basis for the solution of the remaining puzzles of normal science.
- It guides research on problems and solutions
- It sets standards and methods
- It institutionalizes the way knowledge is being taught and transferred
- It provides problems or questions to be studied
- It offers a disciplinary matrix.
Key differences between paradigms:
Ontology: how do we define what is real (nature of reality and assumptions)
o Objectivism: social phenomina exist in reality external to social actors
concerned with their existence
o Subjectivism: social phenomena are created from the perceptions and
consequent actions concerned with their existence.
Epistemology: what is the researcher’s position? Studies the nature, methods,
limitations and validity of knowledge and beliefs.
Methodology: how do we gain knowledge? Theoretical and philosophical
assumptions upon which research is based.
Causality: how do we determine relationships? Related to the objective to determine
which variable might causing a certain behavior (x y)
Axiology: what is the role of values? A branch of philosophy that studies judgements
about value (topic, philosophical approach).
1
,2
, Paradigms knowledge claims:”
Positivist or post-positivist (Social) Constructivism
Knowledge is conjectural Knowledge based on understanding and
Based on empirical observation interpretation
Reductionist in nature Focus on social processes and cultural
Knowledge based on theory verification antecedents
Researchers position themselves within the
research
Advocacy/ participatory Pragmatism
Politically and empowerment oriented Focus on consequences of actions and
Collaborative methods of inquiry solutions to problems (what, how and what
Aims to ‘give voice’ to minorities works)
Focused on changing processes, policies Pluralistic (adopt multiple paradigms)
and practices Real world oriented
Deductive research: approach with precise measurement of quantitative data to enable the
discovery and confirmation of causal laws (theory data). Begins with the idea and uses the
date to confirm or negate the idea (hypothesis testing).
Inductive research: approach with communication and observation of qualitative data to
discover the reasons for events (data theory). Uses data to generate ideas (hypothesis
generating).
Deductive/ Empirical approach Inductive/ Interpretative approach
Ontology and epistemology
There is one objective reality (one truth) Multiple subjective realities (many truths)
Reality is independent of those who observe Reality is constructed by the individuals who
it participate in it
Unbiased observations It is constructed differently by different
individuals
Researchers interact with environment
Methodology
Population based perspective Case-based perspective
Focus on general trends Focus on different realities created by
Social environment constant across time different individuals
Local variations are considered noise Study of cases in a specific social
Variables expressed on numerical scales environment
Use mathematics to analyze relationships Verbal descriptions of what is observed
Deductive analysis Analytic induction: search through data bit by
bit
Causality and axiology
Focus on mechanical causality among Individuals interpretation of situations cause
subjects/objects individual actions
Generalization based on statistical Generalization of findings made on a case-
techniques by case basis
Inquiry is value free Focus on transferability instead of
generalization
Inquiry can be value bounded (biased)
Empirical and interpretative approach summarized:
3
