The complementarity of qualitative and quantitative research methods

The complementarity of qualitative and quantitative research methods IN 5000, April 25, 2019 Asbjørn Følstad, SINTEF

Content • Research process • Qualitative methods • Quantitative methods • The complementarity of qualitaive and quantitative methods • Bonus tracks: Own studies as examples Quick quiz: What will be the format of this lecture? a. Lecturing. b. Group discussions and presentations. c. None of the above.

Research process The research process is the steps the researcher goes through to develop new knowledge – for example in the form of a master thesis.

Research process Group discussion: Describe the main steps of the research process. Present. Me d tho rch sea ion est gap qu ge led on ati tiv ow Re Kn le Mo Tit

Research process During the research process, the research method is decided. Choice of reseach method depends in part of the characteristics of existing background (the wall the community of researchers are building) and your intended contribution (your golden stone to the wall).

Qualitative methods • Purposes A plenary deviation from plan • Approaches and data collection methods • Data characteristics • Analysis techniques

Qualitative methods • Purposes • Approaches and data collection methods • Data characteristics Investigate contextualized entities – an organization, a subculture, an indivdual Develop conceptual frameworks and theory Understand how and why • Analysis techniques

Qualitative methods Group discussion: Suggest a dream qualitative study. Title, motivation, knowledge gap, research question, method. Present. Me d tho rch sea ion est gap qu ge led on ati tiv ow Re Kn le Mo Tit

Quantitative methods • Purposes Another plenary deviation from plan • Approaches and data collection methods • Data characteristics • Analysis techniques

Quantitative methods • Purposes • Approaches and data collection methods • Data characteristics • Analysis techniques Map / characterize populations Investigate correlations Study causality

Quantitative methods Group discussion: Suggest a dream quantitative study. Title, motivation, knowledge gap, research question, method. Present. Me d tho rch sea ion est gap qu ge led on ati tiv ow Re Kn le Mo Tit

The complementarity of qualitative and quantitative methods • Qualitative -> Quantitative • Quantitative -> Qualitative • Parallell application • Other? A final plenary deviation from plan

Mixed methods Group discussion: Suggest a dream mixed methods study. Title, motivation, knowledge gap, research question, method. Present. Me d tho rch sea ion est gap qu ge led on ati tiv ow Re Kn le Mo Tit