Philosophical and Methodological Approaches to Research: A Dissertation Proposal

The content discusses the importance of research in developing robust knowledge on a topic. It highlights the need for secondary data collection from external sources such as websites, journals, and online resources. The analysis method involves qualitative data analysis to generate findings that will lead to conclusions and recommendations. Additionally, the content emphasizes the practical issues that must be considered during the research process, including ethical considerations, time constraints, and budget limitations.

Running Head: Dissertation proposal
Dissertation proposal-Philosophical and Methodological approaches to research

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Dissertation proposal
Table of Contents
Topic:.........................................................................................................................................3
Question:....................................................................................................................................3
Relevant Literature:....................................................................................................................3
Philosophy:.................................................................................................................................6
Methodology:.............................................................................................................................7
Collection method:.....................................................................................................................8
Analysis method:........................................................................................................................8
Practical issues:..........................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................11

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Dissertation proposal
Topic:
The topic of the proposed research is the following:
“Philosophical and Methodological approaches to research”
Question:
The questions which will be answered in the intended research study are given below:
 What are the major philosophical approaches to research?
 What are the key methodological approaches to research?
 What is the role of research methodology?
 What is the significance of the different methods of collecting data?
 What is the importance of conducting a literature review?
 How can be the collected data analysed?
Relevant Literature:
Research
According to Naidoo (2011), the systematic and creative work which is undertaken to
enhance the knowledge pool on the domains of humans, society and culture and different
factors which are used to devise different new application on any topic is the research. The
research is used to affirm or establish any fact or to reaffirm any outcomes of any previous
studies. Research is conducted to solve any existing or new problem. The research projects
are utilized to develop more knowledge on any particular domain or topic. The basic
researches are conducted in the form of discovery, documentation, interpretation, and
Research and Development (R&D) on different systems or methods for the good of

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Dissertation proposal
knowledge expansion. Applied researches are conducted on the basis of the application of
scientific resources (Naidoo, 2011).
Characteristics of research
In the opinion of Coryn (2006), there are various characteristics or features of research.
Empirical researches are conducted on the basis of experiments and observations on different
theories. The systematic researches take place following sequential and orderly procedures.
In the case of controlled research, all the variables except the experimented or tested ones are
considered to be constant. The research employs certain hypotheses which guide the entire
investigation process to be carried out. The research is highly analytical in nature and it
critically analyses different data and resources which are used so as to avoid any error to take
place in the interpretation of the data. Research can be objective, logical, and unbiased. The
findings of the analysis should be logically placed on the basis of empirical studies. The
quantitative or qualitative methods are employed in research. The collected data are
transformed into other numerical values with the help of statistical methods or they are
transformed into simple numerical measures. Good research is systematic, rigorous,
controlled, verifiable, critical, empirical and valid. Research is mainly based on the works
done by the others. It can also be replicated and is generally used in some settings. It is
expected that good research is established on the logical rationale and it is aligned with some
theories. Good research always directs to further research opportunities. New questions get
generated with the help of good research work. The variables and the constructs are clearly
stated which are needed to be examined. The investigation of the research becomes effective
if the researcher is keenly interested in the subject matter of the study. The use of reliable and
authentic sources of data makes research and effective one. Research is always incremental in
nature and it addresses some real issues either directly or indirectly. The analytical skill of the

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Dissertation proposal
researchers gets reflected through the ways the entire research gets accomplished (Coryn,
2006).
Types of research
According to Roubtsova (2015), research can be of two types of which one is pure or basic
research and the other one is applied research. Different forms of research are humanities,
scientific, economic, artistic, social, marketing, business, practitioner research, technological,
and life etc. Practical application of science takes place in case of applied research and it is
used to access knowledge, accumulated theories, techniques, and specific methods for a
particular business, client-driven or state-driven purpose. There are different forms of
research such as scientific, historical, artistic and documentary research (Roubtsova, 2015).
Paradigm of research
In the opinion of Kivunja and Kuyini (2017), the research paradigm is the set of common
agreements and beliefs which are shared between different researchers and scientists to
analyse the ways of understanding and addressing the different issues. The research paradigm
can be characterised through ontology, epistemology, and methodology. The ontology deals
with the reality and epistemology deal with the ways of knowing something. The
methodology deals with the ways of collecting different data and resources to support any
research. The different methods which are used to acquire and develop knowledge include
qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. The sources of the information and resources are
also defined by the research paradigm (Kivunja & Kuyini, 2017).
Eight Step Research Procedures
According to Arthur and Hancock (2009), there are mainly eight steps of the research
procedure. The first step is the selection of the topic and formulation of research problem on

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Dissertation proposal
which the research needs to be conducted. It is the initial stage of the research procedure. It is
also the stage where the research problem is formulated. The literature review is conducted
where different resources and literature are intricately reviewed and findings are discussed.
Secondly, conceptualization of research design takes place. Thirdly, a research design is
constructed which includes the data collection procedures and the best way of extracting the
needful data. Fourthly, selection of a right sample on the basis of suitable sampling technique
takes place. The various sources of the data are mentioned and discussed. In this chapter, the
issues which are faced by the researcher while collecting data are also highlighted. Fifthly,
writing a research proposal takes place. Sixthly, data collection is conducted. Seventhly, the
processing of data is accomplished. Lastly, a research report is prepared. These are the
important eights steps of a research procedure (Arthur & Hancock, 2009).
Philosophy:
In this research study, the evaluation will be undertaken on the basis of Interpretivism
research philosophy (Research Methodology, 2018). This form of research philosophy
encompasses the utilisation of the qualitative methods of data collection and analysis such as
unstructured interviews, observing participants or conducting an entire review of various
sources of literature or secondary data (Research Methodology, 2018). The belief of the
interpretivists is exactly the opposite to that of the positivists. The interpretivists believe that
an individual is not just a mere puppet who responses to several external forces in the society,
which is the belief of the positivists. The belief of the interpretivists encompasses the
thinking that people are very complex and different from each other. The interpretivists
firmly believe that the experience and perspectives of individuals vary greatly, and the
objective reality is diverse for each people (Research Methodology, 2018). There can be
various reactions or perspectives for different individuals as the thinking process and the

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Dissertation proposal
beliefs of people tend to vary from one another. The interpretivist approach to research is
derived from the social action theory and the interpretivists tend to criticise the theory of
scientific sociology as the statistics that are used in positivism are constructed socially. The
concept of interpretivism encompasses an empathetic understanding of human action. Since
the research topic is subjective in nature, the interpretivist research philosophy will be more
apt. The selection of the research philosophy is an important stage of the research study that
can determine the success of the entire research study. (Research Methodology, 2018).
Methodology:
The research methodology of a research study encompasses the several phases that are to be
implemented in the research. It is a collection of the different methods of collecting and
analysing data (AHRQ, 2013). The methodology of research can be considered as the most
important phase of the research where the researcher determines the ways to collect and
analyse data based on the research philosophy and approach that has been selected. The data
collection and analysis methods can be of qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. The
qualitative methodology encompasses the collection of data that are non-numeric in nature
(Explorable, 2018). The quantitative data encompasses the collection of numeric information.
The mixed methodology of research encompasses both the qualitative and quantitative
methods of data collection. The analysis of the data is another important phase of the research
that should be conducted with an ethical and diligent approach. The analysis of the data can
also be qualitative or quantitative in nature. In this research study, the proposed methodology
of data collection is qualitative in nature (Macmillanihe, 2018). The data will be gathered
from several sources of literature and secondary data for the purpose of undertaking a
qualitative analysis of the data. The study will be based on an empirical approach as existing
information and knowledge will be used for the purpose of arriving at the results of the study.

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Dissertation proposal
An empirical analysis encompasses the collection of information that is already available in
course of some previous research studies undertaken on similar domains. Therefore, in line
with the chosen approach and philosophy, the empirical research approach will be the most
appropriate technique to be used for the purpose of gathering qualitative information
(University of Bradford School of Management, 2007).
Collection method:
The research will be conducted on the basis of secondary resources of information and
resources and literature review. The sources of the secondary data will be authentic and
reliable and will be able to come to develop robust knowledge on the topic of research. The
secondary source of data will include external sources such as websites, journals, books,
online resources etc. The secondary data will be gathered and analysed and the findings will
be intricately discussed in the proposed study (Atieno, 2009).
Analysis method:
The analysis of the data is one of the most critical phases of a research study. The data that
has been collected needs to be analysed effectively such that some effective results are
generated (ORAU, 2018). From the results, the interpretations are made, and the findings of
the study are generated. From the findings of the study, the conclusions are generated that are
the key points that have emerged out of the research study. Finally, the recommendations are
to be offered based on the conclusions so that the participants can be offered with successful
suggestions and advice for removing some of the drawbacks or loopholes that have emerged
in the research study. The analysis of a research study can be undertaken in a qualitative or
quantitative manner. The method of analysis that is to be chosen depends upon the strategy
that the researcher wants to implement in order to arrive at the desired results of the research.

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Dissertation proposal
Since, in this research study, the proposed data collection method has been qualitative in
nature, hence, the analysis of the data will also follow a qualitative approach. The results will
be analysed, and the findings will be generated categorically on the several aspects of
undertaking this research study on the philosophical and methodological approaches to
research. The subjective or qualitative analysis of the results will help in generating ideas on
the various philosophies and methodologies of undertaking several research studies based on
the topic, aims, and objectives that the research wishes to attain (Macmillanihe, 2018).
Practical issues:
Any research study that is proposed to be undertaken needs to consider several issues or
situations that impact the study in its course of progress. The major issues that a research
study must consider might involve the ethical aspects of the research. Every research has to
undertake some ethical principles at the time of conducting the data collection and analysis.
Basically, the researcher needs to ensure that all the ethical aspects of a research study are
observed (Explorable, 2018). One of the major ethical issues that research needs to consider
is taking care of the ethical aspects of the participants. This mainly occurs in case of the
primary research studies where the researcher must ensure the protection and confidentiality
of the data collected from the participants and vouch not to use it for any other purpose
except the research. In this research study, since there will be no involvement of primary data
collection and analysis, hence the ethical approach will encompass the section of the research
subject that is to be ethical in nature and should not be on any illegitimate or illegal subject.
The other issues for this research to consider will be the time and the budget constraints. The
research needs to be completed within a particular timeframe and also within the proposed
budget. Therefore, it is essential to undertake a sincere and ethical approach in this research
study such that all the processes involved in the study can be executed as per the stipulated

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timeline and the budget that has been allocated for the research (University of Bradford
School of Management, 2007).

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Dissertation proposal
References
AHRQ, 2013. Mixed Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection and
Analysis While Studying Patient-Centered Medical Home Models. PCMH Research Methods
Series, pp. 1-5.
Arthur, A. & Hancock, B., 2009. INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH PROCESS. The
NIHR RDS for the East Midlands / Yorkshire & the Humber, pp. 1-32.
Atieno, O. P., 2009. AN ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTHS AND LIMITATION OF
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH PARADIGMS. Problems of
education in the 21stcentury, Volume 13, pp. 13-17.
Coryn, C. L. S., 2006. The Fundamental Characteristics of Research. Journal of
MultiDisciplinary Evaluation, Number 5, pp. 124-133.
Explorable, 2018. Different Research Methods. [Online]
Available at: https://explorable.com/different-research-methods
Kivunja, C. & Kuyini, A. B., 2017. Understanding and Applying Research Paradigms in
Educational Contexts. International Journal of Higher Education Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 26-41.
Macmillanihe, 2018. Choosing qualitative or quantitative research methodologies. [Online]
Available at: https://www.macmillanihe.com/studentstudyskills/page/choosing-appropriate-
research-methodologies/
Naidoo, N., 2011. What is research? A conceptual understanding. African Journal of
Emergency Medicine, pp. 47-48; DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2011.05.011.

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ORAU, 2018. Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.orau.gov/cdcynergy/soc2web/content/phase05/phase05_step03_deeper_qualitati
ve_and_quantitative.htm
Research Methodology, 2018. Positivism Research Philosophy. [Online]
Available at: https://research-methodology.net/research-philosophy/positivism/
Research Methodology, 2018. Research Philosophy. [Online]
Available at: https://research-methodology.net/research-philosophy/
Roubtsova, E., 2015. Types of research projects and research methods. pp. 1-15; DOI:
10.13140/RG.2.1.1432.6245.
University of Bradford School of Management, 2007. AN INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH & RESEARCH METHODS. Effective Learning Service; University of
Bradford, School of Management , pp. 1-44.