Episode 10: Reflecting on Theory and Methodology

In this final episode we investigate the role of theory in research design.  We'll delve into the connection between theory and methodology and discuss how understanding this connection is critical for ensuring your study's coherence and effectiveness. 

Transcript

Hello everyone, and welcome to the final episode of MAIS Perspectives! It's hard to believe that our journey in INDS 500 is coming to an end. As we wrap up this course, let's take a moment to reflect on the value of theory and its profound impact on our research endeavors.

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your insightful course reflections. Your engagement and enthusiasm have truly made this a memorable experience. It's clear that many of you have come to recognize the significance of theory in shaping our understanding of the world around us. From understanding research problems to framing conclusions, theory serves as a guiding light, illuminating new pathways of inquiry and discovery. 

Theory can help us understand our work, our research, and even ourselves in a variety of fascinating ways. Theory isn't necessarily something you bring to the scene of an emergency  - but maybe - just maybe - there is an opportunity for theory to help us understand the situation in a different way - to tweak our approach just ever so slightly - or maybe even in a completely new way - that we discover something new from something old. Theory is not always useful. And theory does not always provide insights. You must know when to use it, just like any other tool.

Our final unit provides an opportunity to investigate the role of theory in research design.  The connection between theory and methodology is critical for ensuring your study's coherence and effectiveness. We've learned that theoretical frameworks provide the conceptual underpinnings that guide your research questions, hypotheses, and overall study design. And, as you gain a better understanding of research design, you'll gain a better understanding of how methodology determines the specific methods and techniques you'll use to collect and analyze your data. The relationship between theory and methodology is especially important in interdisciplinary research, which combines insights and approaches from various disciplines.

The two videos are helpful in outlining the relationship between theoretical frameworks and methodology. The Dr. Strange video emphasized how theory can help us define our research problem, develop concepts and models, guide methodology, frame conclusions, and understand the implications of various theories. Strange also reminds us to have fun with our work, which I appreciated! Sometimes I think the concept of theory - or theorizing - makes us take ourselves too seriously, or we take ourselves too seriously and forget to enjoy the research process and the opportunity to tackle a specific research problem!

Theoretical frameworks lay the groundwork for interdisciplinary research by providing a common language and conceptual framework that connects different disciplinary perspectives. The theories you choose should be able to integrate and accommodate various disciplinary approaches and concepts relevant to your research topic. Your chosen theoretical frameworks help you develop research questions that address the interdisciplinary nature of your study. These questions should be designed to investigate and comprehend complex social phenomena from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, allowing for a thorough examination.

To capture the complexity of your research problem, interdisciplinary research frequently necessitates the use of multiple methods and data sources – this is known as methodological pluralism. Depending on the research question and disciplinary expertise involved, methodological pluralism allows interdisciplinary researchers to use a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches, case studies, surveys, interviews, or ethnographic methods. Your methodology should be consistent with your theoretical frameworks and flexible enough to accommodate various disciplinary methods.

The link between theory and methodology becomes very clear during the data analysis stage of your research. The theoretical frameworks will guide your data interpretation and analysis, assisting you in making sense of your interdisciplinary findings. Your analytical approach should be consistent with the theoretical perspectives employed, allowing you to identify patterns, relationships, and explanations that cut across disciplinary boundaries. In many cases, your analysis connects ideas, theories, and paradigms in novel ways - this is where the magic happens in interdisciplinary research!

It is critical that you understand the relationship between theory and methodology in interdisciplinary social science research. You can effectively address complex social phenomena and contribute to the advancement of interdisciplinary knowledge by carefully selecting theoretical frameworks that encompass diverse disciplinary perspectives and aligning your methodology with these frameworks.

Grant and Osanloo's (2014) article delves into the critical aspects of understanding, selecting, and incorporating a theoretical framework in research design. The theoretical framework is compared to a blueprint that lays the groundwork for the research project, much like a blueprint guides the construction of a house. They emphasize the importance of understanding various theoretical frameworks before deciding on the best one for your research. They contend that a theoretical framework provides a structured approach as well as a conceptual framework for organizing and carrying out the research. It aids in the formulation of research questions, the identification of variables, and the establishment of relationships between them.

Grant and Osanloo also provide advice on how to choose a theoretical framework. They stress the significance of aligning the chosen framework with the research objectives, questions, and methodology. They also advise considering the framework's relevance and applicability to the research topic. Another critical step discussed in the article is incorporating the theoretical framework into your research. The authors emphasize the importance of establishing clear links between the framework chosen and the research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. They emphasize the importance of the theoretical framework in providing a lens through which data can be interpreted and analyzed.

All of the unit 10 resources underscore the importance of selecting and incorporating theoretical frameworks into our research design. Just as a blueprint guides the construction of a house, a theoretical framework provides a structured approach to organizing and carrying out our research. Remember  - by aligning our chosen frameworks with our research objectives and methodology, we can effectively interpret and analyze our data, uncovering new insights and connections along the way.

As you transition into INDS 510 and beyond, I encourage you to continue exploring the intersections of interdisciplinary theory and methodologies. Embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, knowing that you have the knowledge and skills to navigate them with confidence and curiosity.

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the privilege of working with each and every one of you in creating our INDS 500 learning community. Your dedication and passion have been truly inspiring, and I am confident that you will continue to excel in your academic and professional endeavours.

 Remember to get your final assignments submitted to me. And please remember that I am here to support you every step of the way. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and keep making a difference in the world around you.

Thank you all for joining me on this final episode of MAIS perspectives. Until we meet again, take care, continue theorizing, and keep pursuing your passions with courage and curiosity.