Chapter 3: Method and Methodology
3.1 Methodology
This chapter will provide knowledge and understanding of the research process that was carried out, before revealing the results. Methodology is the foundation on which a researcher bases their work. This process is fundamental to the research project as a whole as illustrated in Ryan et al (2002): ‘the process of research is as important as the output’ (p.2).
The manner in which research is conducted involves particular techniques. Tomkins and Groves (1983) highlight that the ‘selection of the most appropriate research methodology is dependent on the nature of the phenomenon being researched’ (Ryan et al, 2002, p.35). Methodology is essentially the process through which this research is conducted and consists of two dimensions: ontology and epistemology (Hopper and Powell, 1985, p.431).
Burrell and Morgan’s (1979) Classification Matrix for the Analysis of Social Theory is constructed by two separate dimensions that are based upon assumptions of the nature of society and of social science. Within this framework, there are four paradigms; ontology, epistemology, human nature and methodology. For the purpose of this research project, the two paradigms which are of concern are ontology and epistemology. Ontology is concerned with the ‘nature of reality’ (Hopper and Powell, 1985 p.431) and epistemology the ‘nature of knowledge’ (ibid). Together these two elements define methodology.
3.1.1 Ontology
Ontology, as described by Hopper and Powell (1985) is concerned with the ‘nature of ‘reality’’ (p.431). This indicates that ontology is ‘the study of existence and in this context is concerned with what we discern to be ‘real’’ (Ryan et al, 2002, p.13). There are two contrasting beliefs on t...
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...uestionnaires were distributed to forty participants in total, 20 honours accounting students and twenty people from a range of occupations and professions. Upon analysis of the data, the researcher noted that there were more female respondents in comparison to their male counterparts. There were twenty-four women to sixteen men giving a ratio of 3:2. Most respondents were aged between 18 and 29 although this was to be expected as most students are within this age range. However the range of ages in the other respondent group, were much more varied, ranging from 18 to over 60.
The response rate was 100% for the accounting students as the researcher handed them out in person and not via email or electronic survey. This ensured a quicker response time and a higher response rate. The response rate from the other 20 participants was significantly lower, at 63% (20/32).
The theoretical framework in a research relates to the philosophical basis in which the research is executed. It also forms the link between the theoretical aspect of the research and the practical aspect of the investigation. Merten (1998) stated that it “has implications for every decision made in the research process” (p.3). Therefore, the starting point to any research proposal is to identify the methodologies (methods that can be used in the project and as well justify their choice (Crotty, 1998). The methodologies relate to “the strategy, plan of action, processes or design lying behind the choice and use of particular methods, and linking the choice and use of methods to the desired outcomes” (Crotty, 1998, p. 3).
Based on the preceding ontological and epistemological assumptions a researcher then makes methodological assumptions. Having decided on exactly what is to be studied the researcher then decides how the research can best be managed thus formulating a plan of action. Considerations include whether the research used should be primary or secondary. Whether one will test an existing hypothesis or whether one will construct a theory after having collated evidence. Finally one can draw conclusions as to which strategy to implement with the ultimate goal of producing the type of knowledge that is required. This then results in the type of method or methods of research to be used.
For nearly a thousand years, the ontological argument has captured the attention of philosophers. The ontological argument was revolutionary in its sequence from thought to reality. It was an argument that did not require any corresponding experiment in reality; it functioned without the necessity of empirical data. Despite flaws and problems found in some ontological arguments and the objections raised to those arguments, ontological arguments still provide a phenomenal vehicle for ontological discussion through St. Anselm’s original ideas and argument, objections raised, and revisions of previous arguments. The ontological argument still intrigues philosophers despite potential objections and flaws found in it.
N Meg Wallace, “The Ontological Argument,” University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 4, 2014, http://www.unc.edu/~megw/OntologicalArg.html
Barron, L.(2006) ONTOLOGY in Jupp, V (ed, 2006) The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods
For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.
...s can be reliable with a predominant view of how knowledge is constructed that would fit within the worldview framework. The worldviews will contribute to the research design that most likely will be quantitative; however, there is great possibility that it will be mixed. The design of this research will be based on bringing together a worldview or assumptions about research, the specific strategies of inquiry, and research methods. This research will be testing a theory by specifying narrowing hypotheses and the collection of data to support or refute the hypotheses.
This essay is going to critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys and questionnaires as a method of Socio-Legal research. When conducting socio-legal research, a number of methods can be used to collect useful information.
• The aim of the research is to describe the research question. • For participants, it is a sheet that provide information in which clearly guide what the research is about and what are the factors will be include • The methodology is very important when you conducting a research and it should be appropriate for the research question. If a researcher want to do research on people perception and their attitudes and behavior regarding any phenomenon then Qualitative method and unstructured interviews are appropriate and if a researcher aims is to do research on people problems and needs on scale then Quantitative method, statistics, survey, experimental design and randomized sampling are more appropriate. A good research is based on methodologies. (Tamsin, 2006) • The research should be unbiased.
Blaike (2000) asserted that ontology to involve, “claims and assumptions that are made about natur...
Perri 6 & Christine B., 2012. Principles of Methodology: Research Design in Social Science. London: Sage.
The ontological question about 'what there is' in the world, is, in Quine's words, "a shared concern of philosophy and most other non-fiction genres." (1) It is the use of more general or broader categories, such as, for instance, physical objects or classes, that distinguishes the ontological philosopher's interest in what there is from the scientist's.
Research philosophy, refers to the development of knowledge adopted by the researchers in their research (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). In other words, it is the theory that used to direct the researcher for conducting the procedure of research design, research strategy, questionnaire design and sampling (Malhotra, 2009). It is very important to have a clear understanding of the research philosophy so that we could examine the assumptions about the way we view the world, which are contained in the research philosophy we choose, knowing that whether they are appropriate or not (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009). According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), three major ways of thinking about research philosophy are examined: ontology, epistemology and axiology. Each of them carries significant differences which will have an impact on the way we consider the research procedures. Ontology, “is concerned with nature of reality”, while epistemology “concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study and axiology “studies judgements about value” (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2009, p110, p112, p116). This study is intent on creating some “facts” from objective evaluations which are made by the subjects. Therefore, epistemology will be chosen for this study as the way of thinking about the research philosophy.
The term Ontology is comprised of concepts, concept properties, relationships between concepts and constraints [5]. Ontologies are defined independently from the actual data and reflect a common understanding of the semantics of the domain of discourse . Ontology is an explicit specification of a conceptualization [3]. It is a representational vocabulary for domain; a definition of classes, relations, functions, constraints, attributes and other objects. Practically,...
Research which is also known as the search for knowledge is an art of scientific search for specific information. According to Clifford Woody, the research includes defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis and suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing whether the conclusion will fit into formulating hypothesis. Research Methodology is a scientific and systematic way of finding solution to a problem. In this research, researcher has studied various steps for research like problem along with the logic behind them. For this study, researcher must know various research techniques like mean, mode,