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Chapter 4 – Research Design and Methods
The first and second research questions are primarily qualitative in nature and seek to
explain the nature of the local/state SDI partnerships under investigation. The next three
questions are more quantitative in nature and seek to identify and measure a number of
issues or factors. To address the final research question requires the blending of both
qualitative and quantitative approaches to better guide the development of a generic
framework or model.
4.3 Selection of Research Approach and Research Design
4.3.1 Overview
At an early stage of the research design it became evident that both qualitative and
quantitative approaches should be examined. On one hand, there was a need to understand
the different partnership models within a variety of settings and on the other to quantify
the factors that contribute to the success of these arrangements. This section examines the
context of both qualitative and quantitative methods and their relationship to the research
problem and questions which have been formulated. A mixed method approach is then
proposed as a suitable research approach to answer the research questions identified. The
overall research design incorporating the mixed methods approach is then presented.
4.3.2 Qualitative Methods
Qualitative research methods examine the how, what and why of various phenomena. Put
simply, qualitative methods involve a researcher describing the characteristics of people
and events without comparing events in terms of measurements or amounts (Thomas
2003). Denzin & Lincoln described the qualitative approach as:
“the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical approaches including case study,
personal experience, introspection, life story, interview, observational, historical,
interactional, and visual texts – that describe routine and problematic moments and
meanings”. (Denzin & Lincoln 1994, p. 2)
Qualitative research has strengths that derive primarily from its inductive approach, its
focus on specific situations or people, and its emphasis on words rather than numbers
(Maxwell 1996). Maxwell identified five particular research purposes where qualitative
studies are especially suited including:
1. understanding the meaning, for participants in the study, of the events, situations,
and actions;