Primary research: The purpose of designing a primary research study is to answer your questions or test your hypotheses. This then helps you with designing your practice-based fieldwork. Effective design starts with recognising which approach (deduction, induction or abduction) is appropriate for your study. This, in turn, influences the strategies, methodologies and methods you use for your primary research to produce credible results.
How textbook helps: The book about designing a primary research study is a useful resource for first-time researchers. It illustrates the different approaches available to investigate a topic. For example, theory testing (deduction) or theory building (induction). Alternatively, the best approach may involve relying on the most apt explanations for understanding results (that is, abduction). The publication also emphasises effective design entails ensuring the chosen approach is appropriate for the study’s research strategy, methodology and method.
Student story: Inga was anxious about designing a primary research study and doing her fieldwork. She was uncertain whether deduction, induction or abduction would address her research questions. When Inga followed the advice from our book, she designed a study using an abductive approach combined with a mixed methodology. This helped answer her research questions. Consequently, Inga created new findings and contributed to the existing body of knowledge for her topic.
“Choosing the right approach was difficult for me. I was worried no single approach would give me the whole picture. The ‘Designing Your Study and Fieldwork’ book was so helpful. It explained abduction in such a simple way that I realised how beneficial it would be for my research.” Inga Simone, MSc Technology Management.