Critical Realism and Research Design and Analysis in Geographies of Children and Young People

Abstract

Methodologies can be thought of as the researcher's overarching tactics. A methodological approach grows from the type of knowledge that a research question demands and provides a framework for the purpose and nature of a research study. Methodologies justify why we use certain methods and not others and give structure to our design. Knowing how and why to select an appropriate methodology is a crucial skill for all researchers. This chapter reviews three overarching methodological approaches: qualitative, quantitative, and multi-strategy. Each generates different types of knowledge and informs the choices made about methods of data collection. While all three can shed light on musical phenomena, qualitative approaches tend to elicit subjective, contextual understanding, whereas quantitative approaches focus more on larger-scale, generalizable explanations. We consider the main features of these two approaches, as well as addressing the increasing body of work that brings together qualitative and quantitative enquiry into multi-strategy research. Within each of the three approaches, we delve deeper to illuminate specific strategies, introducing methodological strategies that range from ethnographic exploration of musical cultures to experimental studies testing the very latest innovations in the field. 2.1 Qualitative approaches page 2 2.2 Quantitative approaches page 9 2.3 Multi-strategy approaches page 15  Study guide page 21