RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.2. PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
3.3 Justification for choosing constructivist worldview
Researcher’s stance on adopted paradigm.
3.4 Grounded theory
methodology
Presents research method adopted in the enquiry.
3.5 Study population Discusses the profile of participants to the study.
3.6 Data collection Presents enquiry’s data collection methods.
3.7 Theoretical sampling Discusses how the participants were chosen.
3.8 Data analysis Presents data analysis techniques adopted.
3.9 Credibility, original it y, resonance and usefulness
Discusses guidelines adopted to achieve credibilit y.
3.10 Grounded theory guideline s for IS studies
Discusses GT guidelines for IS studies considered.
3.11 Chapter summary Presents highlights on the topics covered in the chapter.
Constructivism was the chosen worldview for this research. The other worldviews are also discussed, particularly positivism and pragmatism. The chapter also highlights how the chosen research methodology guided data collection, data analysis and theory developme nt.
Amongst the various GTM approaches, the constructivist GT of Charmaz (2006) was the adopted approach for this investigation.
3.2. PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
In academic research, the research is predisposed by the researcher’s worldview known as the paradigm. The researcher’s belief system is a position of fundamental viewpoint
pertaining to (a) the nature of the world; (b) the person’s position in it; and (c) the extent of relationships possible to that world (Guba & Lincoln, 1994). Academic research is underpinned by theoretical assumptions about what constitutes valid research and appropriate research methods for the development of knowledge (Klein & Myers, 1999).
The research process has three dimensions: ontology, epistemology and methodology. These three dimensions define the nature of enquiry (Terre Blanche, Durrheim, & Painter, 2006) through an all-encompassing system of interrelated practice and thinking called a research paradigm. Ontology relates to the nature of reality, epistemology refers to how one knows what one knows, and methodology relates to the modus operandi or mode of operation used in one’s research. The research paradigm guides how knowledge is processed and how values and reality are interpreted. A paradigm is a set of values, beliefs and assumptio ns regarding the nature and conduct of research. Sometimes a paradigm in a research process is referred to as a worldview (Creswell J. W., Research design: Qaulitative, Quantitat ive, and Mixed Method Approaches, 2009).
The research methodology is a process followed by the researcher to execute the research process. The questions that the researcher poses in the research and the approach used to find solutions to those questions are influenced by the worldview of the researcher (Morgan, 2007). Traditionally, a researcher is influenced by either a positivist (quantitative) worldview or a constructivist (qualitative) worldview (Crotty, 1998). Pragmatists argue that research always happens in social, historical, political and other settings or contexts (Creswell, 2013).
However, this research employed a constructivist worldview as the lack of cyber-security research in the context of local government in South Africa requires a more holist ic approach.
3.2.1. Positivist/post-positivist worldview
Positivists argue that there is a single reality and aim to identify causal relationships through objective quantitative measurements. This worldview gives rise to a research approach that is sometimes referred to as the scientific method (Creswell J. W., 2013). Positivists approach research by examining the relationships among variables (Creswell J. W., 2013). The researcher is independent to avoid bias in the process of inquiry. Positivists develop knowledge based on observation and measurement of the objective reality that exists in the world. In this worldview, researchers argue that there are laws or theories that govern the world. These laws and theories need to be verified in order to understand the world
(Creswell, 2013). The conventional research approach in this worldview is that the researcher starts with a theory, then collects data to support or refute the theory, then designs tests and executes necessary revisions (Creswell, 2013). The research aims to construct relevant, true statements that can serve to explain the situation of concern. An essential aspect of competent inquiry is being objective; hence validity and reliability are critical in this worldview.
3.2.2. Constructivist worldview
Constructivists contend that there are multiple realities and different interpretations which are shaped by particular circumstances in the process of inquiry. The researcher is thus subjective in constructivism. A qualitative researcher follows an approach for exploring and understanding the meanings people ascribe to a social problem (Kaplan & Maxwell, 2005).
The constructivist research approach entails emerging questions, data collection in the interviewee’s setting, inductively building from particulars of general themes, and interpreting the data meanings (Creswell J. W., 2013). Such researchers inductively develop or generate a theory or pattern of meaning. This worldview posits that human beings develop meanings as they interact with the world on the basis of their social perspectives (Kaplan &
Maxwell, 2005). By visiting the environment of the interviewees and collecting informa t io n personally, the researcher aims to understand the setting (Crotty, 1998).
3.2.3. Pragmatic worldview
Pragmatists argue that inquiry always take place in social, historical, political and other settings or situations (Creswell, 2013). As the name implies, the researcher foregrounds practicality and efficacy in their approach. The researcher draws from both qualitative and quantitative assumptions when conducting the research; the researcher focuses on the research problem instead of focusing on any one method, hence the use of all availab le approaches in order to understand it (Cherryholmes, 1992). Having a pragmatic worldview opens the door for mixed method researchers to use multiple methods, different assumptio ns, different worldviews and various forms of data collection and analysis (Morgan, 2007). The pragmatic worldview, therefore, gives rise to mixed methods research as the inquirer has freedom to select the methods that best meet the purpose of the research. Consequently, researchers employ both qualitative and quantitative data since they are useful in understanding the study problem (Morgan, 2007).
3.3. JUSTIFICATION FOR CHOOSING CONSTRUCTIVIST WORLDVIEW