The Nature of Knowledge: Disciplines and Science Paradigms and Interpreting and Evaluating Research - Essay Example

Whatever the nature of a research he purpose of conducting any research is to get to the bottom of the truth about the principle (Carr LT, 1994). Quantitative approach in a research has many benefits. Quantitative methods can be used to test already established theories about different prospects plus it also gives an insight as to why such phenomenon occurs or why a theory holds. It also gives the leverage to the user of analysing and possibly testing the hypothesis prior to incorporating or even calculating the data.

It also offers an integrated result when the data is collected through many sources (sometimes from random sources), the quantitative method generalizes this data. It also helps in collecting the quantified data that is used in forecasts. User of quantitative methods and techniques can modify his research my reducing the effect of confounding variables. This is helpful especially in those cases where ambiguity prevents a definitive result to be established. Using quants method, an effective and precise cause and effect relationship can be established (Johnson, 2004).

There are also some weaknesses to this methodology too. Researcher does get help from quants by narrowing down the variables to the ones that suit his/her purpose; therefore the ultimate result may be at a significant deviation from local constituencies. Using quantitative methods can subject the user to confirmation bias, which is, only considering the results or hypothesis that confirm to the theory desired to achieve (Johnson, 2004). The results produced through this method can be too vague or too common in nature which makes them useless in applying them to various scenarios.

One of the most popular techniques besides the quantitative is qualitative technique that makes evaluation inquiries. Accomplishment and effectiveness are the essences of qualitative research as it makes the researcher immerse in evaluation. When effectiveness and accomplishments are tested through empirical methods it generates evaluation research (Patton, 1990). Some of the problems that need special attention in quantitative research need to be considered in qualitative methods too, these include; study design application and data analysis (Sofaer, 2002).

In modern researches, the use of qualitative techniques is present more than ever. Usually this technique is often fused with quantitative or other research methods. 2 “The language we use to theorize about organizations is not a symptom of the problems the field faces but is a cause of such problems … Our theories of the world are not mere reflectors of the world but makers of the world” (van Maanen, 1995). What are the ‘problems’ facing the discipline to which van Maanen refers? Critically evaluate the implications of this perspective for the construction of business and management knowledge.

The word ‘problems’ has been used by Van Maanen (1995) referring to complexities that the norms of business strategists and theorists are growing. The problem is that technocratic unimaginativeness is evident in majority of management research and it is getting recognition for no solid reason. People just keep looking at the theory and work on it to make it correct and do not pay attention to the organizational real life problems. When it comes to organizations and stock markets, it is not any simple math or theory that will