RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
5.3 Research approaches
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insightful (Creswell, 2009). This statement was supported by Morgan (2007) who posits that employment of numerical and non-numerical source of data is best combined using pragmatic philosophy. Therefore, the integration of numerical and non-numerical information and analysis were supported by this study. Babbie, (2010) maintained that quantitative research methods is very suitable when analysing numerical data through mathematical computations which influences the quality of research outcomes well suited for investigating the influence of the aforementioned factors on entrepreneurial behaviours among youths in Mpumalanga.
As this study investigates these factors, pragmatic philosophical stance was adopted in a bid to ensure in-depth and reliable data was collected to give a valid outcome. Therefore the adoption of Pragmatism philosophy with quantitative research method will enhance the ability to find answers to each research questions separately and objectively which justifies data collection and analysis as it was explained above. Each research question in this study was carefully examined to determine the suitable method employed.
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explaining in clear terms how the variables will be measured (Bryman & Bell, 2015; Minner et al., 2010; Saunders et al., 2009) (c) test each hypothesis, (d) verify each outcome to confirm or accept the hypothesis, or reject and state the need for more tests, or modification of the hypothesis. Verification as posited by Maylor and Blackmon (2005) is the process of developing data into hypotheses to formulate theory. Most scientific investigation employs quantitative approach to obtain information which sometimes poses a challenge necessitating the adoption of mixed method involving qualitative, (e) modify hypothesis if the need arise as a result of the outcome. This process is a continuum until appropriate hypothesis is developed, tested and a phenomenon established. The acceptability of deductive approach is borne out of its objectivity (Saunders et al., 2009). The approach employs stringent scientific methods of data collection, which is subjected to in-depth statistical analysis to deductively improve knowledge on a phenomenon (Bryman & Bell, 2015). This approach is without some criticism based on the complex scientific methods which may not capture the essence of factors influencing the social actors’ behaviours in management science.
5.3.2 Induction: Building Theory
Induction or otherwise known as inductive theory is a research approach closely related to interpretivism. This approach helps to understand the phenomenon under investigation by participation and involvement of the researcher as part of the social actors, thereby formulating theories from personal experience and views of the researcher to build a case for investigation that will assist to give in-depth understanding to a phenomenon. It is a stack contrast from deductive approach which base its outcome on hypotheses developed through deductions, aligning its theories into law-like generalised variables (Kelliher, 2011; Thomas, 2006). Induction builds theories that follow data unlike deduction that use data deductions to test theories. Due to the emergence of social sciences in the 20th century and the complexity of humans diverse ways of interpreting phenomena, coupled with the dynamism associated with entrepreneurship and business management, researchers in this field became critical of a method that permitted a cause–effect relationship to be made between certain variables without an empathetic way in which humans construed their social world. Emergence of such understanding is the crux of inductive research. It is also important to mention here that the rigid methodology associated with deduction which does not permits alternative explanations to phenomena makes induction more appealing to social science researchers as there is sense of finality about the choice of theory and explanation of the hypothesis with regards to
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deduction, although alternative theories may be proposed by deduction, however, these would be within the ambits set by the extremely structured research design. Inductive theory approach gives preference to methods of data collection to record first-hand information on phenomena; therefore qualitative approach is favoured in an inductive inquiry. Interviewing respondents and observing them in their natural environment assists in gaining in-depth understanding about a social phenomenon in order to denote inductive knowledge (Kelliher, 2011; Saunders et al., 2009; Groulding, 2005; Easterby-Smith et al., 2008). It is pertinent to understand why inductive approach is suitable for business research as proposed by Easterby-Smith et al. (2008). There are three major reasons for this adoption, which are (a) it helps to take a more knowledgeable decision on the research design, (b) it helps to align the research strategies and approaches that is suitable for the study and, importantly, those that are not suitable, (c) knowledge of the diverse research traditions permits adoption of a suitable research design to cater for constraints. Take for example, the constraint involving limited access to data, or lack of prior knowledge of the subject may put the researcher in an awkward position to frame a hypothesis due to insufficient understanding of the topic.
Comparison of the diverse approaches to qualitative study as suggested by Thomas (2006) is offered in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2 Comparison of qualitative analysis Universal
Inductive Approach
Conventional Theory
Dissertation Analysis
Phenomenology
Diagnostic strategies and questions
Highlights relevant identifiable elements that
meet the
research objectives.
Employ axial coding and theoretical
sampling to generate theory.
Recognition of social practices and rhetoric through text and sound
Gives meaning to experiences garnered
to convey
understanding through words.
Result of analysis
Themes of the research
objectives Identified
A theory that includes themes are developed
Text and sounds meanings are identified and Described
Experiences
garnered are given vivid description Presentation Highlight the Describe theory Descriptive A comprehensible
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Results
most relevant themes.
of
core themes
explanation of various
meanings in text
narrative about the experience
Source: Adapted from Thomas (2006).
With the above description, we can attest to the rigorous techniques involved in inductive approach of data collection using qualitative method which gives in-depth information directly from the source (Thomas, 2006). The major weakness of this approach is its subjective tendency as the researcher’s perceptions of the phenomenon have a significant effect on data interpretation and discussion of the findings (Saunders et al. 2009).
Combination of both approaches was recommended by different scholars as a way of alleviating the obvious identified weaknesses of both approaches (Franz et al., 2013; Creswell
& Clark, 2011; Morgan, 2007).
5.3.3 Combining deductive and inductive approaches
The identified rigid divisions between deductive approach and inductive approach which is influenced by objective and subjective procedures in developing new knowledge, inhibit the ability to provide comprehensive explanations of the important variables, a challenge which therefore, necessitated the combination of the two approaches in social/management research. The possibility of combining deductive and inductive approach was mentioned based on the experiences gained from previous researches, which proved that such combinations are advantageous and significant (Ali & Birley, 1999 cited by Mengting 2015;
Saunders et al., 2009). The combination of deduction (quantitative) and induction (qualitative) methods within the confine of a single study in line with research questions is referred to as mixed methods (Creswell, 2009). It is however imperative to mention here that even though the study employed quantitative research methods in collecting data it recognise the importance of integrated approach which featured in the process of developing the questionnaire for the study. The researcher believed it is a sensible thing to do in designing the questionnaire as integrated approach is acceptable in management sciences research, due to the dynamism and peculiarity associated with business activities which needed to be researched in multiple phases.
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Research objective helps to determine research approach, in that, if the research objective is to find the relationship between variables- like in this case of this research determining the influence of psychological factors, political environment and information awareness on entrepreneurial behaviour, highly structured and consistent data collection process will be used with a closed-ended questions forming the bulk of the questionnaire’s structure. This will facilitate statistical analysis and interpretation of numerical data collected through survey necessitating the adoption of quantitative research methods for this study (Creswell, 2013;
Szafranski, 2009; Vogt, 2006, 2012). The choice is made based on the strengths inherent in quantitative research approach in explaining relationship between constructs to find correlations and significant differences in the constructs; which will also assist in finding cause and effect relationships to make suggestions. Also, quantitative research method helps to explain structured numerical and non-numerical data collection and examination processes resulting in dependable research conclusions (Franz, 2013; Evans et al., 2011).