Research Methods

What to know more about how philosophy and research fit together? Watch this short video for a brief explanation.

Most books that look at research design will cover philosophy but if you would like more information on this topic look at Michael Crotty's book

Choosing a research method can be bewildering. How can you be sure which methodology is appropriate, or whether your chosen combination of methods is consistent with the theoretical perspective you want to take? This book links methodology and theory with great clarity and precision, showing students and researchers how to navigate the maze of conflicting terminology. The major epistemological stances and theoretical perspectives that colour and shape current social research are detailed and the author reveals the philosophical origins of these schools of inquiry and shows how various disciplines contribute to the practice of social research as it is known today. Available with Perusall--an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.

Theories, Theoretical Perspective & Theoretical Framework

Theories

Theories help us to understand the world by describing, explaining or predicting how or why a phenomena occurs. Theories can have different levels of scope. For example, macro level theories look at large global issues, while meso and micro level theories deal with context based or individual issues, respectively (Salmons, 2019).

Theoretical Perspective

Your theoretical perspective is the lens with which you view the world. Theoretical perspective are based on different paradigms. The research paradigm consists of Ontology (what is reality?); epistemology (how can I know reality?); theoretical perspective (which approach do I use to know something?); Methodology (how do I go about finding out?); Method (what techniques do you use to find out?) (Patel, 2015)

This chart may help you to articulate your own theoretical perspective

Theoretical Framework

Your theoretical framework won’t be defined in the literature, it has a specific purpose that is unique to your research project, which you develop based on its suitability to your research. You will need to review key theories, and evidence from researchers in your area, around this subject in order to present and justify your own choice of theoretical framework. Your theoretical framework should;

• Identify and justify your theoretical perspective or approach to research.
• Illustrate your understanding of how theory, methodology and methods are connected.
• Justify your choice of methodology and methods.
• Inform readers and future researchers about your choice of research question and the type of results that can be expected from your research.
• Identify the limitations of your research.
• Illustrate how your research is connected to other research that shares your approaches