Although knowledge is created and disseminated every day; there is relatively little consideration given to how that knowledge exists and how it was created in the first place. This essay explores how knowledge is created through research as logic of enquiry, mainly focusing on the differences between method and methodology, the debate between qualitative and quantitative research, and ultimately, the conclusion that research must be a synthesis of all relevant competing methodologies in a mixed methods approach. By utilizing such a holistic strategy, researchers are able to uncover their problem more accurately and effectively.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Logic of Enquiry and Research Methodology
- Ontology and Epistemology
- The Importance of Methodology
- Knowledge Generation and the Logic of Enquiry
- Method vs. Methodology
- The Unbiased Methodology
- The Problem with Defining Research by Method
- Mixed Methods Research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the creation of knowledge through research, focusing on the key differences between method and methodology, the debate between qualitative and quantitative research, and ultimately, the conclusion that research must be a synthesis of all relevant competing methodologies in a mixed methods approach.
- The distinction between method and methodology in research.
- The debate surrounding qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
- The importance of a holistic and mixed methods approach to research.
- The role of ontology and epistemology in framing research.
- The limitations of defining research solely by the methods employed.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by defining research as a logic of inquiry, emphasizing the importance of understanding how knowledge is created. It then discusses the distinction between method and methodology, highlighting the significance of methodological considerations in shaping the research process. The essay also explores the concepts of ontology and epistemology, emphasizing the importance of researchers making their ontological and epistemological assumptions explicit.
The essay then delves into the debate between qualitative and quantitative research, arguing that traditional research often falls under quantitative approaches while interpretive or critical theoretical research falls solely under qualitative frameworks. However, the essay challenges this simplistic view, suggesting that methods do not define paradigms, assumptions, or methodologies. The essay concludes by advocating for a mixed methods approach to research, arguing that such an approach offers a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay centers around key concepts like research methodology, logic of inquiry, ontology, epistemology, qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods research, and the distinction between method and methodology. These concepts highlight the importance of a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to research, emphasizing the need for researchers to carefully consider their ontological and epistemological assumptions and to utilize a variety of methods to gain a deeper understanding of the research problem.
- Quote paper
- Cory Contini (Author), 2010, Synthesizing Social Research, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230474
