PROVIDING NEW RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES FOR ENGINEERING RESEARCH: QUALITATIVE STUDIES AND MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

摘要

Qualitative studies have been underutilized in engineering management studies because of majority of the researchers have a research worldview that favors quantitative approach. This paper shows how qualitative studies contribute to knowledge generation in its own way. Qualitative methods such as grounded theory, ethnography, phenomenology and phenomenography will be discussed here. How qualitative methodology is applied in research will also be discussed. This paper also explores the partnership between quantitative and qualitative methodologies through mixed methods research discussing both quantitative-dominant and qualitative-dominant mixed methods research. This paper goes further by suggesting new canons for each type of mixed methods research. Overall, this paper highlights that qualitative studies and mixed method research provide unique ways in which to answer research questions.