2.6.1 Methodological pluralism/triangulation

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

• Research that examines a single case or example in great detail, often using several methods or sources.

Question 2

What is the main purpose of case studies?

Answer 2

• To investigate social phenomena or understand how processes & groups within society operate.

Question 3

What does triangulation refer to in research?

Answer 3

• Using two or more sources or methods to obtain a more rounded picture by studying the same thing from multiple viewpoints.

Question 4

What is methodological pluralism?

Answer 4

• The use of multiple research methods to conduct research.

Question 5

What are the advantages of case studies?

Answer 5

• Provide a great amount of detail.
• Enhance understanding of certain groups & processes.
• Allow for in-depth data interpretation.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of case studies?

Answer 6

• Not representative of a larger population.
• Generalisations cannot be made.
• Difficult to replicate data.
• Potential for researcher bias.

Question 7

What type of data do positivists favor?

Answer 7

• Reliable & representative.
• Quantitative data covering large numbers of cases.

Question 8

What type of data do interpretivists prefer?

Answer 8

• Valid qualitative data looking at a smaller number in depth.

Question 9

How can one method in research complement another?

Answer 9

• The strengths of one method can counter the weaknesses of another.

Question 10

What is the significance of using triangulation in research?

Answer 10

• It enables one method to overcome the shortcomings of another.

Question 11

What is the outcome of methodological pluralism?

Answer 11

• It provides a synthesis between different theoretical methods.

Question 12

What is often the initial step in a methodological pluralism approach?

Answer 12

• Conducting a limited number of in-depth unstructured interviews.