Qualitative research
- theory-building
- outcomes are considered “subjectives”
Quantitative research
- theory-testing and decision science
- outcomes are considered “objective”
Advantages combining research strategies
- using one method can help in designing the following strategy better
- by applying multiple methods, you can enrich interpretation of findings
- better methodological quality (triangulation)
- better generalizability and convincing results of the research
Case study vs. experiment
In a case study, there is consideration of the phenomenon within its real-life context, while in an experiment there is isolation of the phenomenon from its context (manipulation)
Case study vs. survey
In a case study, there is a small number of data points and qualitative method of analysis, while in a survey there is a large number of data points and quantitative analysis
Case study vs. decision science
In a case study, there is a description or explanation of a phenomenon, while in decision science there is a development of a solution for a problem
Cross-sectional
time dimension is not important
Longitudinal
change, development, evolution of a concept/phenomenon over time is key
Real-time
studying something as it is happening
Retrospective
studying something that is already in the past
Embedded design
multiple levels of analysis
Structured interviews
- short, simple questions
- many closed questions
- easy analysis and comparison
- used when compare opinions
- minimum interaction between participants
Semi-structured interviews
- pre-defined topics and questions
- order of questions may change on the go
- additional follow-up questions
- used when you have knowledge of the subject
Unstructured interviews
- free-flowing chat on a topic
- follows the lead of interviewee
- questions are asked as they arise
- no two interviews will be the same
- used when no knowledge or theory but need to explore a topic
Types of open questions
- Hypothetical questions
- Comparison questions
- Illustrative example questions
- Follow-up questions
Hypothetical question
used to explore opinions and ideas
> What in your opinion would be the ideal process?
Comparison question
used to understand the differences between two things
> Can you compare how your work was before and after the process change?
Illustrative example question
used to gather opinions on a specific scenario of situation
> Your colleague told me about… what do you think about this?
Follow-up question
important to gain deeper understanding of a response
Leading questions
questions that lead the interviewee to the answer that you are expecting. Avoid these because the are very dangerous due to bias
Deductive approach
When the study is informed by previous theory and concepts (top-bottom approach)
- more structured
Inductive approach
when there is no previous theory (bottom-up approach)
- less structured
Abductive approach
some parts of data are informed by existing theory
First-level codes
descriptive, formed from data, tend to summarise data segments without interpretation
