I am Planning to Develop a Theory, Which Methodology Would be
Better and Analyses Tool That I Should Use?
Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,
Technical Operations, Statswork
info@statswork.com
I. INTRODUCTION
A theory is constructed for
explaining some phenomena, situations in
the real world or any behaviour type. This
theory helps to understand any problems
or issues of a new finding and make a
conclusion depending on the most
important feature. Sometimes, theories are
used for forecasting situation or any
phenomenon (Fawcett & Downs, 2015). In
the case of a research paper or a
dissertation, the theory is formulated to
explain, predict and realise the phenomena
which are assumed to happen in reality. In
support of this theory, the theoretical
framework is structured for introducing
and describing the theory that can explain
the reason for a reason for the research
problem (Dawson, 2019).
On the other hand, research
methodology is considered as a significant
part of a research paper. It includes the
description of various ways and means for
conducting the research. The principal aim
of this research methodology is to explain
the techniques which are useful or can be
useful for obtaining the data or
information as that will be expected to find
out on behalf of the aim and objectives of
the research (Bowen, et al., 2017). A
relevant and useful research methodology
is very important to support the theory
which is needed to be constructed. Inspite
of performing a thorough literature
review, the research paper is mainly based
on the findings made by relevant research
methodology (Gordon, 2015).
There are three types of research
methodologies which are utilised in
constructing a theory. Those are
qualitative, quantitative and mixed. The
mixed research methodology includes both
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quantitative and qualitative research
methodologies. Therefore, to understand
the role of the research methodology in
constructing a theory, it is required to
emphasize both the qualitative and
quantitative
research
methodologies
(Dawson, 2019).
In the case of a qualitative study,
the main aim indicates to understand social
phenomena
by
investigations
and
interpretation of various meaning as
attached to the research. In this case,
primary objectives are making sense to
find out the phenomena in the real world.
The key principle is based on subjectivity
instead of making interpretations (Pandey,
2015). The theory will be developed
during or after the research work is
conducted. In this case, the inductive
process is followed. In this process, the
researcher starts to collect the data relevant
to the topic of interest. In the second step,
data analysis and data observation is
performed based on the similar pattern and
finally based on the observations or
findings of the data, a theory can be
developed (Mngadi, 2018).
In the case of quantitative study,
the enquiry is developed depending on
testing thee theory which made up of
various variables and those are measured
based on the numbers. Further, the
variables are analysed with a suitable data
analysis tool. It is needed to check whether
the result performed by the tool and the
prediction of the theory will be matched or
not in this quantitative research
methodology (Dawson, 2019). In this
case, the core principle is based on the
objectivity and the study is found to
associate with positivist or post-positivist
or both types of the research paradigm.
The research method is generally carried
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out by following deductive processes. In
the case of the deductive process, the
hypothesis can be developed depending on
the existing theory. The researcher mostly
shows the interest and makes decision or
interpretation based on the inferences of
data. Thus, in this case, the researcher
mainly tests his or her hypothesis based on
the existing theories (Mngadi, 2018).
In some cases, the mixed research
methodology is required to prefer where
both the qualitative and quantitative
research process is needed to follow in
constructing a theory. In the mixed
methodology, mainly sequential and
explanatory approached are used for
evaluating the concept that has to be
observed for constructing the theory
(Bowen, et al., 2017). The explanatory
sequential design includes two different
phases. First one refers to the initial
quantitative instrument phase and it is
followed by the second phase of
qualitative data collection (Bowen, et al.,
2017). The qualitative phase is found to
build directly on the result interpreted
from the quantitative phase.
Data analysis plays an important
role in conducting research methodology.
This process indicates the underlying
process which is employed by the
researcher for gathering necessary data in
research. The researcher should mention
the tool which is utilised to collect the
required data. At first, the researcher needs
to select the sample size depending on
which the research methodology will be
performed. The sample is needed to
choose in such a way so that it would not
provide any bias information based on the
selected population (Bowen, et al., 2017).
Sample size should be taken based on the
prevalence and precision of the data
measurement. Generally, good and
maximum sample size can be around 10%
of the population and it should not exceed
1000. Further, the minimum sample size
can be preferred to be 100 (Dawson,
2019). There are several ways based on
which data collection is performed with
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the sample size. Those are online or
offline surveys, questionnaires, direct
interviews etc. In the case of quantitative
methodology, data collection is performed
by surveys and questionnaires including
close-ended questions. In the case of
qualitative
methodology,
generally,
observations, open-ended survey or the
interview are performed to gather the
required amount of data for the research.
Qualitative data collection is found to
consist of more number of open-ended
questions and the descriptive type answers
which may have little or no numeric
variables (Mngadi, 2018). It has been
observed that qualitative data is an
excellent way of gaining insight within the
thoughts and behaviour of the audience.
Hence, the theory is mainly
constructed based on the inductive or
deductive approach of different research
methodologies. The quantitative and
qualitative research methodology can be
carried out by considering suitable data
collection methods. The sample size is also
needed to choose so that it can support the
measurement for constructing the theory
with an unbiased way. Open-ended and
closed-ended questions are developed
based on the research methodology so that
an effective theory can be developed from
the research performed.
REFERENCES
[1] Bowen, P., Rose, R. & Pilkington, A., 2017. MIXED
METHODS-THEORY AND PRACTICE.
SEQUENTIAL,
EXPLANATORY
APPROACH. International Journal of
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Methods, 5(2), pp. 10-27.
[2] Dawson, C., 2019. Introduction to Research Methods
5th Edition: A Practical Guide for Anyone
Undertaking a Research Project. 1st ed. New
York: Robinson.
[3] Fawcett, J. & Downs, F., 2015. The Relationship
Between Theory and Reserach. The
Relationship of Theory and Research , 1(1), pp.
1-4.
[4] Gordon, H., 2015. Strategic Information Systems:
Concepts,
Methodologies,
Tools,
and
Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools,
and Applications. New York: IGI Global .
[5] Mngadi, A., 2018. The role of theory in research and
practice. s.l.:GRIN Verlag.
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[6] Pandey, P., 2015. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES. 1st ed. Romania:
Bridge Center.
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