Research Methods
Lecture 3
Methods of Investigation

1.Ontology
2.  Epistemology
1.
3.  Methodology
1.
4.  Paradigm

1. Ontology
  - the nature of reality
- what is the nature of the reality of the subject you are researching?
    - what does your research focus on?
  - this ‘reality’ can be ‘constructed’ by you
– the ‘construction of the subject of your research by you as the investigator (constructivist
ontology)

2. Epistemology
- the nature of ‘knowledge’
- how do we know what we know?
- how do we ‘gain’/obtain knowledge? – by what processes and aims?
- in what way is the ‘reality’ of your research (what you know about the subject of your research)
known to you? – what and how did you learn/have you learnt about it before starting your
investigation? – AND what ‘knowledge’ is your research looking for (what is the AIM of your
research)

3. Methodology
  - how is your research to be conducted? – using what overall principles and approach?
  - the methodology you use is a philosophical approach governing your research practices
  - your methodology leads to, and informs (shapes), the methods you use in your research (methods
‘action’ your methodology)

-Methods are the vehicles/instruments and processes used to gather the data (within your
methodology or methodological framework)
- Two main methodologies employed in social science research are:
a) Quantitative
b) Qualitative

a) Quantitative
- focuses on obtaining information that   can be counted, measured and       statistically analysed
(usually            collection of numerical data – ‘number   crunching’)
- Problem: doesn’t often provide       understandings/analysis of ‘meanings’,  ‘beliefs’, and
‘experience’ (= identifies  ‘outcomes’ not ‘causes’)

b) Qualitative
  - perceptions and interpretations (by the subject or subjects of the research – the people or
organisation(s) being researched and studied)
   - carried out when we seek to understand ‘meanings’, ‘interpretations’, and/or to look at,
describe and understand ‘experience(s)’, ideas, beliefs, values
   - Problem: open to challenges in terms of subjectivity/objectivity of framing of questions and
of focus (i.e. subject parameters)

- Your methodology (the overall principles and approach of your research) affects:
1. The research questions you ask;
2. The kind(s) of research you carry out;
3. The methods you use (to collect the data  and/or information);
4. The mode(s) or type(s) of analysis you  use on your data (how you analyse it),;
5. What you can argue are the findings from  your data and/or information, and of your  research

So, your methodology can usually be quantitative or qualitative (or a mixture of the two)
  - AND you then employ certain methods within that approach to collect your data and/or
information
   i.e. - questionnaires
         - surveys
         - face to face interviews
  - analysis of key historical texts
  - analysis of historical data (e.g. government            defence/armament procurement budgetary
data)
  - analysis of processes (documented or informal) in  organisations

- Your methodology is your research strategy that translates your
- ontological principles
(the focus/subject/’reality’ of your research)
AND
- your epistemological principles
  (the aim of your research – the      ‘knowledge’ it aims to produce)
INTO
- guidelines (methods) on how your research is to be conducted

4. Paradigm
 - ontological, epistemological and methodological principles are organised/shaped by Paradigms
(the theoretical category or approach within which your research is conducted)
 - so, your own research – the focus (ontology), the aim (epistemology), and the approach
(methodology) will be shaped by the paradigm you employ (the underlying belief or theory of your
research)

-So you may employ one of the following paradigms:
a) Positivism
b) Interpretivism
c) Constructivism
d) Structuralism
e) Poststructuralism
f) Postmodernism

   a) what paradigm do you begin your research  study with? (what assumptions and beliefs  in
approach is your research based upon?)
   b) what ontology will you employ? (what does your research focus on/ what ‘reality’?)
   c) what is your epistemology (what is the aim of your research – what ‘knowledge’ are you
seeking?)
   d) what methodology will you employ to gain  that knowledge?
   e) what method/methods will you use to collect  your data and/or information?