RMT3: Epistemology and Research Design (Christine Skelton)

1. Overview

• how research design relates to epistemology/methodology
• how research epistemology/methodology relates to theory

2. What do we mean by research design?
2.1 Examples of research designs:

• Experimental design
• Longitudinal design
• Case study design (see also ethnography) o Action research
• Comparative design

3. How to decide which research design to use and what is the relationship between epistemology and framework?
How can we know the world? How can we know the best tools to find out things? Survey? Observation? How can we know?

We make a judgement based on our epistemological view, the way in which we perceive the world.

Very important: Be clear about your own epistemology and the theory that informs your analysis.

My epistemological position will inform the research I choose, it provides the framework.

Research design strategies do not, in themselves, assume ‘an’ epistemological position