Aligning Philosophies of Science with Research Approaches, Coursework Example

More often, it is difficult for a researcher to choose a research design and approach. Various scientists have diverse definitions and claims, all bringing confusion, and difficulties in decision-making. This paper internalizes Creswell’s alignment of the research approaches.

A quantitative approach is a research approach that is more concerned with singular realities and is experimental. It employs empirical observation and measurement and involves a formal presentation and defense style (Creswell, 2009). It tolerates little or no biasness, thus best referred to as post positivism. Qualitative approaches- it is a research approach more concerned with multiple or several realities and more grounded on theory. It just employs the understanding of several participants meaning, and does not necessarily involve a formal presentation but an informal literary style of defense. It is inductive, and theory generated and thus bound to biasness. It better viewed as constructivism. Thus, a qualitative approach can never be post positivist. Mixed methods approaches employ both the concern attaining the singular and multiple realities. It employs both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and then focuses on the one that works (Creswell, 2009). It could involve a formal or informal presentation bound to both biasness and unbiased, thus best referred to as pragmatic. I fully agree with Creswell’s alignment on the description of the various research approach methods.

Empiricism is a theory that comes from experience. Causes determine the effects. Observation and quantitative measures involved to predict relationships between variables. Interpretivism is a theory that relies on interviews, focus groups, diaries, and observation to describe the perceived truth. Interpretivists believe that natural science differs from social science (Creswell & Plano, 2007). Critical theory is one that leads to a common criticism to a critical research. Critical researchers aim at eliminating injustice and transformation of society. In general, empiricism theory applies quantitative approaches while interpretivism and critical theory employs qualitative research approach.

References

Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Creswell, J.W. & Plano Clark, V. (2007) Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.