Qualitative Research: A Case for a Multi-Angle View to Enhance 'Validity'

Title
Qualitative Research: A Case for a Multi-Angle View to Enhance 'Validity'
Publication Date
2014
Author(s)
Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Canadian Center of Science and Education
Place of publication
Canada
DOI
10.5539/ijbm.v9n9p29
UNE publication id
une:15815
Abstract
Qualitative and quantitative organizational research methods have been fiercely debated with regards to their 'value' in terms of the 'validity' and 'generalizability' of their respective research outcomes. Qualitative or phenomenological research paradigm requires a 'holistic' approach to analysing a particular phenomenon in order to address 'validity' and 'generalizability' issues, and therefore necessitates more 'intense' and 'comprehensive' approach to data analyses. This conceptual paper adds to the current debate among the positivists and the phenomenologists on the superiority of a particular research method and, resorting to the dialectical analysis, contributes to the current literature on organizational research methods through conditionalising the 'validity' and 'generalizability' of the research outcomes under the qualitative research paradigm to the use of appropriate 'research design'. Using the microfinance sector's paradigm shift of the 1990s as a case, the paper argues that, under the qualitative research paradigm, 'viewing' and 'analysing' a qualitative set of data with a combination of two or three established theoretical constructs would help the researcher overcome the relative 'flaw' or 'incapacity' of a single theoretical construct to address all aspects of a social phenomenon under investigation, and therefore, not only enhance readers' understanding of the issue but also conclude the research with relatively more 'valid' and 'generalizable' outcomes.
Link
Citation
International Journal of Business and Management, 9(9), p. 29-40
ISSN
1833-8119
1833-3850
Start page
29
End page
40

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