Deductive: Assessment and validation of pre-formulated theories or hypotheses regarding specific phenomena prior to the collection of data
Inductive: Deriving general conclusions based on the in-depth study of a small number of cases with no prior theories or hypotheses
Can be either deductive or inductive depending on the mixed method design: a) Research objective: qualitative or quantitative; b) Presence of pre-formulated theories or hypotheses
Focus: Generalizability of research findings based on random samples to diverse populations
Focus: Analysis of the complexity of the phenomena based on participants' unique and subjective statements on a case-by-case basis
Focus: Dependent on the paradigm emphasis—dominant status of either quantitative or qualitative approach, or equal status
Type of data: Quantitative, specific and numerical data that can be utilized to make quantitative predictions
Type of data: Qualitative data involving the use of words to capture the richness and distinctiveness of the phenomena
Type of data: Combination or words, pictures and numbers, with one type of data compensating for the weaknesses of the other
Approach: Construction of a situation that is focused on the removal of confounding variables in order to establish specific cause-and-effect relationships between pre-identified variables
Approach: Collection of data in naturalistic settings that are subject to the influences of the participants and local contexts
Approach: Depending on the research design, collection of data can involve the collection of quantitative data in a naturalistic settings
Researcher: Objectivity of researcher who is "removed" from the situation
Role of researcher: Active participation of researcher in the situation with participants
Role of researcher: Subjectivity of researcher associated with the participation in the research study mitigated by the objectivity of the data
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