Slide chương 2 Research methodology - summarized, Summaries of Research Methodology

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RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY,

BACKGROUND THEORY AND

ETHICS IN RESEARCH

CHAPTER 2

The ‘research onion’

Source: ©2018 Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill

Research philosophy

“Refers to a

system of beliefs

and assumptions

about the

development of

knowledge”.

Ontological assumptions as a multi-dimensional set of criteria Questions Continua with two sets of extreme Objectivism ↔ Subjectivism

• What is the nature of reality?
• What is the world like?
• For example:
  • What are organisations like?
  • What is it like being in organisations?
  • What is it like being a manager or being managed? Real ↔ Nominal/decided by convention External ↔ Socially constructed One true reality (universalism) ↔ Multiple realities (relativism) Granular (things) ↔ Flowing (processes) Order ↔ Chaos

Axiological assumptions as a multi-dimensional set of criteria Questions Continua with two sets of extreme Objectivism ↔ Subjectivism

• What is the role of values in research? Should we try to be morally-neutral when we do research, or should we let our values shape research?
• How should we deal with the values of research participants? Value-free ↔ Value-bound Detachment ↔ Integral and reflexive

2.1. Research philosophy

5 approaches in research in business and management:

 Positivism

 Critical Realism

 Interpretivism

 Post Modernism

 Pragmatism

Example In the field of psychology, particularly in behaviorism. Behaviorists focus on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes, believing that behavior can be studied scientifically through controlled experiments and empirical observation. For instance, a behaviorist might conduct experiments to understand how rewards or punishments affect learning and behavior in animals or humans, without delving into subjective mental states. This empirical approach aims to establish general principles of behavior that can be applied across different contexts.

Critical Realism  Explains all experiences and what we observe through the structural layers of reality made up of observable events.  Emphasizes the deception of the senses and emotions on individuals.  Critical realism holds that there are two ways to experience the world:

• Method 1 : Through the objects themselves and the sensations they convey
• Method 2 : The mental processing that remains after sensory experience, recalling and reasoning.

Interpretivism  Interpretivism is an epistemology that supports the view that “researchers need to understand the difference between people who act as social agents”.  Interpretivism in research focuses on understanding the meaning and context behind human behavior, experiences, and social phenomena. Researchers using an interpretivist approach aim to understand how individuals or groups make sense of their world and interpret their actions, beliefs, and interactions. This approach is typically qualitative and emphasizes the subjective experiences of people..

Example Topic: Exploring the experiences of refugees adjusting to life in a new country. In this case, an interpretivist researcher would conduct in-depth interviews or focus groups with refugees who have relocated to a new country. The goal is not to generalize or apply objective measurements, but to understand how refugees perceive their experiences —such as their struggles, emotions, and strategies for adaptation. The researcher would focus on interpreting the meanings behind refugees' stories, understanding how they view their new environment, and how they make sense of their identity in the face of challenges like language barriers, cultural differences, and social integration.

Pragmatism  Approach:

• Focus on the results of the research
• Focus on aspects that are effective in solving the problem
• Focus on the freedom of the researcher to choose the research method
• Focus on the diversity of data collection and analysis methods  Practice:
• Researchers use different methods to find answers
• Research is conducted in the best way to solve the problem
• Research is most effective when it approaches the problem directly

Comparison of five research philosophical positions in business and management research

Comparison of five research philosophical positions in business and management research

Comparison of five research philosophical positions in business and management research