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Research Methods

Research Approach

Which approach will you take?

The answer to this question can indicate which methodology, methods and analysis you will use to answer your research question. For example, hypothesis testing indicates a deductive approach.  If you’re a planning to generate theory from your data, you might take an inductive approach. However, in order to answer your research question, you may need to take a more pragmatic approach which requires you to use a combination of inductive and deductive approaches, this is known as an abductive approach. 

Deductive Approach

Inductive Approach

Abductive

Associated with Quantitative Methods

  • Begins with a theory
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Can be descriptive or look at causal relationships.
  • Deals with data that can be observed and measured. 

Associated with Qualitative Methods

Ends with a theory

  • Seeks to identify patterns in data.
  • Seeks to interpret data and looks for meaning

Associated with Mixed Methods

Can generate and evaluate a hypothesis

Allows for the generation and testing of theory

  • Allows investigation of an in-context phenomena using the most appropriate methods.
  • Can use multiple phases of data collection and analysis

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