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serve as research in their own right or as an integral part of the literature review for a new study. Research methodologies A research paradigm is a worldview including philosophical and socio-political issues, whereas a research methodology is a general approach to scientific inquiry involving preferences for broad components of the research process (Teddlie and Tashakkori, 2009). Research methodology refers to the principles guiding the researcher’s choice of strategy and procedure for undertaking research. A researcher chooses a methodological approach to carrying out the research, based on a preferred research philosophy. As we have seen, research ch_01.indd 14 13/09/2013 16:24 Understanding the language of research 15 philosophy is a set of beliefs about how we can come to know the world, namely positivist or interpretivist. Positivistic methodologies are quantitative in nature, whereas interpretivist methodologies are qualitative in nature. Mixed methods, as the name implies, use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in order to address the research question in the most effective manner. Methodology then, is a general approach to a scientific inquiry. Quantitative methodology Quantitative methodology is used in research studies in which the data are analysed numerically. Relatively large data sets are used, which are representative of the broad population being studied. Statistical tools (which are often complex) are used to analyse the data in order to give additional meaning to the research findings. Statistical tests are used to describe data in a meaningful way or to infer from the study population the things that may pertain to the whole of that population. Quantitative approaches to research are useful in understanding trends and are used in the field of public health to look at underlying patterns of disease and to predict future requirements for the provision of healthcare services. Quantitative research will not explain or shed light on how individuals think about healthcare services, or indeed what they prefer to be available. Without this information, healthcare planners may make inappropriate choices for service provision, to the detriment of patient satisfaction. Qualitative methodology Qualitative methodology is used in research which seeks to understand the individual’s point of view. Large data sets are not necessary, as the aim is not to generalise or infer from the findings to the whole of the population for that study. Rather, the aim is to understand from the individual respondent how the phenomenon is experienced. The sample size may be relatively small in qualitative research, depending on the method of data collection. Data from qualitative research are not subject to statistical tests, as respondents usually tell of their experiences, or feelings, in their own words. Common methods for collecting qualitative data are interviews and focus groups, transcribed verbatim (word for word). ch_01.indd 15 13/09/2013 16:24 Research skills for nurses and midwives 16 Conclusion This chapter looked at research philosophy and research paradigms. We have learnt that researchers usually hold a philosophical position about how we can come to know the social world around us. On the one hand, the social world is understood only through knowledge from direct observation and measurement, while on the other hand the social world can be understood through knowledge from accounts of individual experience. We considered the centrality of both the research question and the literature review in decisions about research design. Researchers who come from a scientific background usually, although by no means exclusively, are consistent with a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices consistent with the positivist paradigm. These researchers generally undertake research using quantitative methodologies, which involve collecting numerical data. In contrast, researchers coming from a social science background, including health and social care, will more than likely adhere to a set of assumptions, concepts, values and practices consistent with the interpretivist paradigm. These researchers generally undertake research using qualitative methodologies, which involve collecting descriptive data. We considered the concept of mixed methods, describing this approach as bridging the gap between the well-recognised philosophies of positivism and interpretivism, and often adopted by critical realists in an effort to understand or come to know reality. In the next chapter, we provide an overview of qualitative research methods. Further reading Dyson, S. and Brown, B. (2006) Social Theory and Applied Health Research. Open University Press, Berkshire. Howell, K. E. (2013) An Introduction to the Philosophy of Methodology. Sage, London. Lincoln, Y. and Guba, E. (1985) Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage, London. Midgeley, M. (2001) Science and Poetry. Routledge, London. Ridley, D. (2012) The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students. 2nd edn. Sage, London. Sim, J. and Wright, C. (2000) Research in Health Care.