There are distinctive differences between the two terms, research design and research methodology which the researcher in this study clarifies. On one hand, research design is defined as a detailed plan on how empirical research will be conducted based on a conceptual research problem of the study (Van Wyk 2015, p.4). Creswell (2013, p.293) in addition describes research design as a research engine. Creswell identifies quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches as types of research design (2013, p.293). Research methodology, on the other hand,
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is described as a scientific method that provides details on how research is to be carried out. In simplest words, the detailed steps that are undertaken by researchers when conducting research are called research methods (Rajasekar, Philominathan & Chinnathambi 2013, p.5). Furthermore, research methodology explains the numerous procedures that are implemented by researchers in studying the research problem of a particular phenomenon (Kothari 2004, p.8). Research methodology is basically a work plan that guides researchers to follow certain steps towards carrying out their studies and addressing the research problem.
Section 3.3.1 explores distinctions between qualitative and quantitative research designs before justifying the choice of a mixed-methods research design.
3.3.1 Qualitative and Quantitative Research
According to Creswell (2009, p.5), quantitative research methods focus on testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables that can be measured and quantified by utilising quantitative data analysis tools that present data in a statistical form (Creswell 2009, p.5).
Survey questionnaires are utilised in quantitative research as a means of collecting data that is later quantified to measure certain objectives regarding phenomenon being investigated (Addo &
Eboh 2014, p.144). One of the defining features of a quantitative research approach includes collection and analysis of numerical data through statistical tests (Sebunje 2013, p.9).
Table 3- 1: distinguishes characteristics of qualitative and quantitative approaches or designs.
Characteristics Quantitative Qualitative Expressions Studies and expresses
concepts through numbers
Studies and expresses concepts through words
Types of Questions Addresses questions such as How much?
How many?
Addresses questions such as why? How?
What is the context?
Analysis What is the strength of the correlation?
What is the implication?
Use of theories Tests theories It creates theories
Functions It measures It interprets
Values Values outcome over
process
Values process over outcome
Findings Focuses on facts, statistics and numerical relationships
Focuses on narratives, human behaviours and interactions
42 Assumptions Assumes a static and
knowable reality
Assumes a dynamic reality in which humans create meaning
Sampling Requires a statistically significant sample size
Requires rich sources
Conclusions Seeks definitive conclusions
Explores Methodology Methods include
empirical
Methods include interview and case
Source: dissertation-editor.com, 2014
As table 3-1 demonstrates, the utilisation of a qualitative research approach which concentrates on addressing questions that seek to answer the how, what and whys of the research problem by employing qualitative research procedures that include collection of data through interviews and focus groups (Levasseu 2016, p.3). “Qualitative research is therefore concerned with aspects of reality that cannot be quantified, focusing on the understanding and explanation of the dynamics of social relations” (Queiros, Faria, Almeida 2017, p.397). Data collection instruments such as semi-structured and unstructured interviews, focus groups and observations are utilised in qualitative research to gather information regarding perspectives, attitudes and behaviours of the respondents (Sebunje 2013, p.9).
Distinctions between qualitative and quantitative research and their functions have been thoroughly clarified in table 3-1. There are both advantages and disadvantages of using either a qualitative or quantitative research approach. Although quantitative data has a strength of providing descriptive data which allows a reasearcher to capture and measure viriables, researchers encounters difficulties when it comes to data interpretation. On one hand, quantitative data does not give a reader the reseaons why for instance eTMM citizens believes that IC2C agreements plays a role in sustaining development in eTMM communities. On the other hand, qualitative research provides details concerning emotions, human behaviour, and personality characteristics that quantitative research cannot do. In this study, the use of qualitative research interchangeable with quantitative research helped the researcher to obtain informion on how IC2C agreements benefits the citizens and sustain development in eTMM communities.
In this study, the researcher employed a mixed methods research design or approach. Examining the nature of the research problem and the research questions of this study, the researcher was prompted to utilise the mixed methods approach. This was to enable the involvement and participation of eTMM officials and citizens that had knowledge pertaining to the research questions of this study. The use of mixed methods grants the researcher the freedom not to be
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limited in terms of data collection, which also allows the researcher to triangulate the research findings. In most cases, when the use of one research method, either quantitative or qualitative, is not sufficient to explore the research problem of the study, researchers opt for a mixed methods approach (Creswell 2015, p.535).
According to Cameron (2014, p.4) in a mixed methods research approach, researchers collect, analyse and interpret data adopting and combining two research methods to investigate a single phenomenon through utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods simultaneously.
Moreover, research methodology includes philosophical assumptions that provide direction to data collection, analysis and interpretation through the combination of qualitative and quantitative data in a single study (Cameron 2014, p.4). Researchers are recommended to utilise mixed methods over a single research method when conducting a study that seeks to explore different views (Creswell 2015, p.535).
The central reasoning for combining both qualitative and quantitative research in a single study is that it presents the research problems and its questions far better than one method and provides solid findings (Creswell 2015, p.525). In substance “mixed-method studies have emerged from the paradigm wars between qualitative and quantitative research approaches to become a widely used mode of inquiry” (Terrell 2012, p.255). Creswell (2015, p.525) further states that the researcher needs to understand both quantitative and qualitative research to utilise a mixed methods design which makes this type of research design an advanced research method (Creswell 2015, p.525).
3.3.2 Pragmatic Aim
The pragmatic aim was employed in this study because the focus of this research was to address the social problems arising from city-to-city agreements. In general, pragmatism is a school of thought that believes that the function of thought is a tool for prediction, action, and problem- solving and also describes, represents, and mirrors reality (Yawson 2014, p.3). Studying the research questions of this study and how the researcher planned to carry out this study, a mixed- methods approach was utilised in conjunction with pragmatic aim.
Pragmatic research involves dynamic research approaches that allow a researcher to further address research questions that were not well covered using either a quantitative or qualitative research approach (Ihuah & Eaton 2013, p.941). Pragmatic research provides a gateway for a researcher to employ a research method/approach that appears to be most suitable in answering the research question of the phenomenon being studied (Yawson 2014, p.3). Pragmatic research approaches also support several ways of observing issues concerning a certain phenomenon which results in different interpretations and views of the world (Ihuah & Eaton 2013, p.941).
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