Research Methods 4 Data Collection Met

NV4602

Research Methods for
Postgraduate Study
Revision
Data Collection Methods
Primary and Secondary Data

Objectives for Today
 Revise different research philosophies
 Review the differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches
 Look at additional methods for data collection
 Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources of data
 Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of using primary and secondary sources in a research project lbic.navitas.com navitas.com

Review on Research
Philosophies

Main Research Philosophies

1. Positivism
2. Interpretivism
3. Realism

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Mary’s Example
 Mary decided to conduct a research project on stress at work and its effects on employees.
 She could choose different ways to approach this research:  An experiment exploring self-reported levels of stress and worker performance records
 An interview study where the researcher investigates the perspective and views of workers and managers
 A case study reviewing worker records in the work environment and reviewing them in light of stressinducing characteristics of the work environment lbic.navitas.com navitas.com

Mary’s Example
 An experiment exploring self-reported levels of stress and worker performance
 Positivism

 An interview study where the researcher investigates the perspective of workers and managers  Interpretivism

 A case study reviewing worker records in the work environment and reviewing them in light of stress-inducing characteristics of the work environment  Realism lbic.navitas.com navitas.com

Choosing a research strategy
 What will serve your research question best?  Links your research philosophy and data collection/analysis methods.
 Strategies are part of a quantitative or qualitative research design

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What is research design?
 The general plan of how you will go about answering your research question
 A coherent framework that outlines