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