workshop 2: questioning
Research is a systematic, rigorous, and organized effort to investigate a specific problem
that needs a solution
applied research (mostly in organizations) basic research
- applied - conceptual
- solutions to problem - general knowledge
- organizational value - societal value
a research question should be concise, unambiguous, researchable, clear, says what the
issue or problem is that you study. what you want to explore, desire, explain or evaluate.
examples of research questions:
- descriptive: to describe what
- exploratory: to explore what
- explanatory: to explain why or to research the relation between variables
- evaluative: to evaluate the effect of a program or intervention
, Research philosphy = a system of beliefs and assumptions about how we develop
knowledge
- 5 major philosophies:
1. positivism (quantitative):
- believe that there is one true observable reality
- observable and measurable facts
- researchers are neutral and maintain objective distance
2. interpretivism (qualitative):
- reality is complex and there are multiple interpretations of it
- focus on perceptions and interpretations
- researchers are part of what is researched, research is subjective
3. pragmatism:
- reality is the practical consequence of ideas
- concepts are only relevant when they support action. practical outcomes instead of
abstract distinctions.
- research is initiated and sustained by researchers’ beliefs.
4. critical realism
5. post modernism
a theory is a coherent set of ideas. A good theory is able to accurately explain and predict
phenomena. (so: how you think something works)
hypothesis (aanname): a logical implication of a theory which we can test. ´if the theory is
true, what would be expected to happen/observe.
plausible theory → inference to the best explanation
● Examples:
○ Deductive research (logical and true)
■ Theory: Deborah and Tim will stay together
■ Hypotheses: when presented with a seducer, Tim will stay faithful to
Deborah
■ Collection of data: Tim spends the night with Cherish
■ Conclusion: hypothesis is false
○ Inductive research (specific observations)
■ Collection of data (observations): Kevin cheats on Megan 100 times
■ Theory: Kevin is not to be trusted
○ Abductive research (imcomplete observation → likiest explanation)
■ Theory/ surprising fact: if I do X, then the competitor will fall for me
■ Collection of data (observations): worked/ did not work
■ Theory/ surprising fact: if I do Y, then the competitor will fall for me
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