- ✓Research methodology refers to the overall strategy and rationale behind a research project, encompassing both the philosophy and the methods chosen.
- ✓Positivism holds that knowledge is best obtained through objective, measurable observation, and tends to favour quantitative methods.
- ✓Interpretivism argues that social phenomena are complex and context-dependent, and tends to favour qualitative methods that capture meaning and experience.
- ✓A pragmatic research philosophy prioritises choosing the methods best suited to answering the research question, often combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- ✓Clearly articulating and justifying your methodological position is an essential component of a credible Level 5 computing research project.
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Start learning →Alex: Welcome to Level 5. We're starting Unit 9: Computing Research Project today, and this first lesson covers research methodologies. Sam, why does the Level 5 qualification dedicate an entire unit to research?
Sam: Because at Level 5, you're working at a higher level of intellectual rigour and independence than at Level 4. A research project isn't just an extended assignment; it requires you to formulate your own research questions, justify your methodological choices, collect and analyse data rigorously, and communicate findings in a professional academic style. These are the skills that underpin postgraduate study and professional research in industry.
Alex: What's the difference between methodology and method?
Sam: An important distinction. A method is a specific tool or technique for collecting or analysing data: a survey, an interview, a statistical test. Methodology is the overarching framework and rationale that determines which methods are appropriate: the philosophy behind your approach. Methodology answers 'why are we collecting data this way?' while method answers 'what are we doing?'.
Alex: Let's talk about the philosophical underpinnings. What do we mean by positivism and interpretivism?
Sam: These are two broad research philosophies with different assumptions about the nature of knowledge. Positivism holds that the world exists independently of the observer and can be studied objectively through systematic observation and measurement. It's the philosophy underlying natural science and most quantitative research. Positivists believe that valid knowledge takes the form of laws and generalisations derived from empirical evidence.
Alex: And interpretivism?
Sam: Interpretivism argues that human experience and social phenomena are fundamentally different from physical phenomena: they're inherently subjective, context-dependent, and shaped by meaning. You can't understand why people do what they do by purely objective measurement; you need to engage with their perspectives and interpretations. Qualitative methods like interviews and ethnographic observation align with this philosophy because they're designed to capture meaning and experience rather than just measure behaviour.
Alex: And pragmatism?
Sam: Pragmatism is a third philosophical position that says the most important criterion for choosing a research approach is whether it effectively answers the research question. Pragmatists are not committed to either positivism or interpretivism; they use whichever methods, quantitative or qualitative or a mixture, are best suited to the research problem. This is probably the most common approach in applied computing research.
Alex: Why does it matter for students to articulate their philosophical position?
Sam: Because it demonstrates intellectual maturity and helps justify your methodological choices. If you're conducting qualitative research and you understand that you're operating from an interpretivist philosophy, you can explain why qualitative methods are appropriate and how you've addressed their limitations. Without that understanding, your methodology section becomes just a description of what you did, without the reasoning that makes it credible.
Alex: Any advice on how to develop this understanding?
Sam: Read research methodology texts alongside computing research papers in your area of interest. Notice the philosophical positions the authors adopt and how they justify their choices. Discussing your approach with your supervisor is invaluable: they can help you identify the most appropriate philosophy for your specific research question. And read widely from the literature before committing to a position.
Alex: Excellent foundation. Thanks Sam. Next we compare quantitative and qualitative approaches.