Las variables explicativas

Understanding that traditional paradigms are in obsolescence, Alvesson & Skoldberg (2009) pointed out that the positivism, social constructivism and critical realism have started being used less during the recent past. This is in parallel with the point of view of Leech & Onwuegbuzie (2007) which states that the mix method concepts or paradigms are still in their adolescent age and that findings are relatively unidentified. Therefore, it can be seen that these arguments may lead towards mystifying many researchers, Kumar (2011) has additionally, simultaneously, come up with exploring several other varieties of research approaches and frameworks as outlined in Figure 3.3 below.

Figure 3.3 : Types of Research

Alternatively, there are several other combined paradigms that have been brought forward by Leech & Onwuegbuzie (2007) which support Small’s (1995) empowerment research and the Delphi method for military research by Alzheimer (2009).

Research commences from two types of approaches called deductive and inductive. When using the deductive approach, the researcher narrow downs a broad picture (more general) of an object towards a more specific focal point. Sometimes this is informally termed as the "top down" approach. Inductive research is the opposite of deductive approach. This moves from specific observations to broader generalisations and theories. Some books refer to a third method called abductive approach as well (Saunders, et al., 2012, p. 128 and 144) which is used to generate testable conclusions. This research is primarily based on the deductive approach; i.e. it will commence from theories and then flow through hypotheses and observations either to reach whatever the outcomes put forward or to reject them as depicted in Figure 3.4. However, this research will have some influences to the research form of adductive since it was originally had a plan to validate this framework.

Figure 3.4 : Flow of the deductive approach

This research is focused on developing a multi paradigm approach together with qualitative and qualitative data collection strategies.

3.3.1 Positivism and interpretivism (antipositivism)

To conduct research, it is important to select one of the two primary different enquiry paradigms called positivism and interpretivism. In positivism, research enquiries will generally include statistical surveys and experiments whereas interpretivist enquiries are frequently related to conversational fieldwork and cultural phenomena supported by open ended questions in interviews etc. Generally, interpretivism is associated with qualitative research and positivist research is frequently related to the quantitative approach.

3.3.2 Strategies of inquiry

Making a decision regarding selecting a suitable research methodology depends on the nature of the research problem. Qualitative research methodologies that are popular for organisational and sociological research were dominated by abstracted empiricism methods during the 1960s and 1970s. After 1970, once again qualitative research began to improve with the triangular combination of ontology, human nature, epistemology, and methodology (Morgan & Smircich, 1980). However, some recent research have argued against Morgan and Smircich’s philosophy stating that three knowledge areas called inter subjectivism, subjectivism and objectivism (Cunliffe, 2010) are missing from the fundamentals of qualitative research.

As described in Section 1.5 of this thesis, the aim and objectives of this research are to develop a framework to provide a lifelong social security system for the operational workforce in the construction industry in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is necessary to identify funding sources via quantitative methods and sociological impacts through qualitative methods. The factors that require consideration when selecting a research approach (Galt, 2008) are depicted in Table 3.1 of this thesis.

Table 3.1 : Strategies of Inquiry

(Source: Galt, 2008)

Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Method

Experimental Grounded Theory Action Research

Between Group Systematic Practical

Designs Emerging Participatory

Within Group Constructivist Community based

Designs Ethnographic Mixed Designs

Quasi Experimental Realistic Triangulation

Correlational Critical Embedded

Explanatory Case Study Sequential

Prediction Narrative Research Explanatory

Survey Biography Exploratory

Cross Sectional Phenomenology

In this research, the questionnaire was prepared via the combined approach because some of the questions related to interpretivism when enquiring about the behavioural problems of the operational workforce. Questions relating to measuring the impact of the operational workforce related to positivism. Since the proposed framework plans to use some information utilised in military structures, it requires using a Delphi method (Dalkey & Helmer, 1963) during the framework development and validating process.

3.3.3 Development of research approaches and paradigms

From the available various types of research approaches and paradigms, selecting and developing a suitable modus operandi was a challenge. Selection of a suitable research methodology depends on the nature of the research problem and questions (Naoum, 2013). As it was planned to collect sensitive secondary data from reputable and market leading construction organisations belonging to various organisational structures such as proprietorships, partnerships, private companies, public companies and cooperatives societies, assuring data confidentiality was highly important.

This research aims to develop a framework that can achieve greater stakeholder satisfaction in the construction industry. The platform of the framework will be reinforced with a lifelong social security system for the operational workforce within the construction industry in order to assist them to overcome their social security difficulties (which they are experiencing at the present time) (Kumar, 2011). Through the framework, it is anticipated that a time, cost and quality orientated operational workforce can be offered to the construction industry. When carrying out research relating to the human services’ industries, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of areas such as effectiveness, value for money and the training status of human resources in order to fulfill the following requirements efficiently.

 Controlled  Rigorous  Systematic

 Valid and Verifiable  Empirical

There are several ways of collecting and understanding information and finding the answers to any questions and research (Lee, 2001). However, it is said, “the fundamental requirement of any question is that it is understood”.