Synthesis Table
|
At the beginning of the study… |
Exploratory |
Descriptive |
Explanatory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variables have been defined |
Some but not all |
Yes |
In detail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Population has been defined |
Not yet |
Yes |
In detail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dependent variable has been defined |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent variables have been defined |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operational definitions have been defined |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A data collection instrument is tried and tested |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data is already available |
No |
Maybe |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Empirical Verification supports hypothesis (Correlation) |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A logical explanation (model) and group of hypotheses are established |
No |
Maybe |
Yes |
|
Repeatability is established |
No |
Maybe |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Empirical Verification establishes causality |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of logic |
Inductive |
Both |
Deductive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data type |
Qualitative |
Both |
Quantitative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research Methods |
Field Work Unobtrusive |
Survey Unobtrusive |
Experiment Available Data |
|
|
|
Content Analysis |
|
|
Method |
Survey |
Experiment |
Field Research |
Unobtrusive measurement |
Content Analysis |
Available Data |
Case Study |
|
|
|
Participation |
Direct |
Indirect |
Mix |
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|
Discipline (X) |
Sociology |
++ |
|
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
Anthropology |
++ |
|
|
|
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|
Psychology |
++ |
|
|
|
+ |
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|
History |
|
++ |
|
|
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|
Geography |
|
+ |
+ |
++ |
|
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|
Political Science |
+ |
|
|
|
++ |
|
||
|
Economics |
|
|
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Data Collection Tool |
Recorded Observation |
|
|
++ |
++ |
|
|
|
|
Laboratory |
++ |
|
|
|
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|
Interview |
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
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|
Questionnaire |
++ |
+ |
|
|
|
|
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|
Documents |
|
|
|
Artefacts |
+ |
+ |
|
|
|
Study type |
Exploratory |
|
|
+ |
|
|
|
|
|
Descriptive |
++ |
|
+ |
++ |
++ |
|
|
|
|
Explanatory |
|
++ |
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Generalization (XX) |
To larger population |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To theory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Causal Analysis |
Temporal Order |
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
|
|
Correlation |
++ |
|
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Reduction |
|
++ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Process of Theory |
Deductive |
|
|
|
|
|
+ |
|
|
Inductive |
+ |
+ |
++ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data type |
Qualitative |
++ |
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Quantitative |
|
|
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Scale |
Nominal |
|
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Ordinal |
|
|
++ |
++ |
|
|
|
|
|
Interval |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio |
++ |
+ |
|
|
|
++ |
|
|
|
Reporting (XXX) |
Tables & Graphs |
|
Psychology |
|
Sociology |
Political Science |
Economics |
|
|
Social Linkages Maps |
Sociology |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Spatial Maps |
|
|
|
|
Geography |
|
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|
Descriptive Text |
|
|
|
|
History |
|
|
|
|
Synthesis Tables |
|
|
Anthropology |
|
|
|
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NOTES * This table was produced for pedagogical reasons only and is not intended as a definitive design. |
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X - The highlighted areas indicate methods used very frequently by each discipline. Disciplinarians may also use other methods, albeit in a much less frequent way. For example, economists may use content analysis, but this occurs less frequently. |
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XX - The power to generalize a sample finding to a larger population depends on sampling technique. Methods require random sampling to benefit of full generalization power. Datasets including full populations are of no worry in this respect. |
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XXX - The discipline is named only as a prime example of this type of reporting, with a specific research method. Other disciplines may use this reporting technique in conjunction with this and other research methods, as well. |
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