- Conceptualizing the study: Identifying the problem or question.
- Designing the study: Planning the methods and approach.
- Conducting the study: Gathering the data.
- Knowledge mobilization: Sharing the findings.
To ensure that the findings shared in academic and scholarly journals are accurate and of high quality, the scientific community uses peer review. This is a process where independent experts in the same field review a researcher's work and provide feedback or recommendations for publication, acting as a quality control mechanism for the profession.
Research Designs: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods
Researchers choose their approach based on the type of question they are asking. According to Creswell (2014), there are three primary research designs:
1. Quantitative Research Designs
Quantitative research focuses on the generation of numerical data. It is best suited for testing theories, looking at differences between groups, or identifying relationships between variables.
Key characteristics include:
- Objectivity: Researchers attempt to remain as unbiased as possible.
- Large Samples: Using many participants to ensure results can be applied to larger populations.
- Statistics: Using mathematical tools to analyze data.
Example: A study investigating the historical cholera epidemic in London used quantitative data to show that people drinking water from specific companies had significantly higher death rates (4.2 per 1,000) compared to those drinking from others (0.5 per 1,000).
2. Qualitative Research Designs
Qualitative research focuses on non-numerical data to understand the "why" and "how" of human experience. It is ideal for exploring meanings, perceptions, and social contexts.
Key characteristics include:
- Natural Settings: Data is often collected where participants live or work.
- Flexibility: The design is "emergent," meaning it can change as the researcher learns more.
- Small Samples: Focuses on depth of information rather than breadth.
3. Mixed Methods Research Designs
Mixed methods combine both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a more complete picture of a research problem. This might involve conducting both types of studies simultaneously or one after the other.
Worked Example: A study on medical students' ability to examine patients with obesity used a mixed-methods approach.
- Quantitative part: A questionnaire showed only 14% of students felt competent in these exams.
- Qualitative part: Focus groups revealed that a lack of early exposure and curricular focus were the primary barriers.
Philosophical Worldviews: The "Why" Behind the "How"
Every research design is rooted in a philosophical worldview—a set of underlying assumptions about the nature of reality (ontology) and how we come to know that reality (epistemology).
Common worldviews include:
| Worldview | Core Belief | Typical Research Approach |
|---|
| Postpositivism | There is a single, objective reality that can be discovered through the scientific method. | Quantitative |
| Constructivism | Multiple, subjective realities exist; meaning is socially constructed. | Qualitative |
| Pragmatism | Researchers should focus on "what works" to solve problems, using whatever tools are necessary. | Mixed Methods |
| Transformative | Research should be connected to politics and aim to reform or change society. | Qualitative/Transformative |
Additionally, "Two-eyed Seeing" is an increasingly important worldview in Indigenous health research. It involves bringing together the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing with Western scientific methods, treating both knowledge systems as equitable.
Summary Note: Your worldview dictates your entire research program, including your strategy of inquiry and the specific methods you choose to use.
