Key Points:

• Quantitative and qualitative research constitute different approaches to social investigation and carry with them important epistemological and ontological consideration.

• Theory can be depicted as something that precedes research (as in quantitative research) or as something that emerges out of it (as in qualitative research).

• Epistemological considerations loom large in considerations of research strategy. To a large extent, these revolve around the desirability of employing a natural science model (and in particular positivism) versus interpretivism.

• Ontological considerations, concerning objectivism versus constructionism, also constitute important dimensions of the quantitative/qualitative contrast.

• Value may impinge on the research process at different times.

• Practical considerations in decisions about research methods are also important factors.

• Feminist researchers have tended to prefer a qualitative approach, though there is some evidence of a change of viewpoint in this regard.

Question for review:

Theory and Research

• If you had to conduct some social research now, what would the topic be and what factors would have influenced your choice? How important was addressing theory in your consideration?

• Outline, using examples of your own, the difference between grand and middle-range theory.

• What are the differences between inductive and deductive theory and why is the distinction important?

Epistemological consideration

• What is meant by each of the following terms: positivism; realism; and interpretivism? Why is it important to understand each of them?
• What are the implications of epistemological considerations for research practice?

Ontological considerations

• What are the main differences between epistemological and ontological considerations?
• What is meant by objectivism and constructionism?
• Which theoretical ideas have been particularly instrumental in the growth of interest in qualitative research?

Research strategy: quantitative and qualitative research

• Outline the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research in terms of: the relationship between theory and data; epistemological considerations; and ontological considerations.
• To what extent is quantitative research solely concerned with testing theories and qualitative research with generating theories?

	Quantitative	Qualitative
Principle orientation to the role of theory in relation to research	Deductive; testing theory	Inductive; generation of theory
Epistemological orientation	Natural science, in particular positivism	Inductive; generation of theory
Ontological orientation	Objectivism	Constructionism

Influences on the conduct of social research

• What are some of the main influences on social research?

Reference: Alan Bryan “social research methods“, second edition, ISBN10: 0199264465