Axiology In Research

Axiology is another aspect of research philosophy that discusses about the values. In other terms, it is the study of ethics involved in the chosen research method. Despite varied taxonomy by several authors, axiological aspects could transform from absolutely free of values to those laden with personal biases. Basically, the axiological view point adapts to one of the ontological and epistemological stances already taken. According to Wilson (2010, pp. 9-10), positivistic approach is more objective in nature and not prone to personal biases. It also takes objectivism as the related ontological stance since external realities are beyond the participating organisations’ control. On Burrell’s grid, it assumes more towards functionalist standpoint.

For example, conducting interviews with sample population to understand the core of the problem domain aids in formulating right questionnaires for collecting data at a larger scale. While the first part exemplifies a qualitative setting, the second part might deal with quantitative data. Hesse-Biber (2010, p. 16), while enumerating the advantages of mixed methods' research, indicates how triangulation of methods converges both methods to solve the same problem accurately. In fact, adding the qualitative dimension to the research problem provides better insight into the core issues and complements the ongoing or pre-conceived quantitative analysis.

Research design follows the chosen research strategy closely and some authors often use the words quite interchangeably. Zikmund, et. al (2010, pp. 137-157) provide four major orientations to qualitative research namely, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory and case studies.

Phenomenological orientation encourages in person conversation and often interviewer asks indirect questions and interprets later Zikmund, et. al (2010, pp. 137-157). One advantage of this method is, it avoids leading questions, which otherwise may cause personal bias. Since the method is unstructured, it consumes long time with each

Observation becomes part of ethnography and most of the times it happens covertly. Because of its covert nature, ethnography attracts certain ethical issues and needs to be pursued seriously (Iphofen, 2013). Ethnography could be structured and systematic as well. When such study is applied to reflect one’s own experience and reflections, it could lead to auto-ethnography (Tracy, 2013, p. 30). Whether or not ethnography is used, auto-ethnographic methods help critically analyzing the collected data.

Grounded theory is another method, which exemplifies reflective reasoning. Critical questions are posed in-depth on the collected information by the researcher leading to more insights. This often results in obtaining new perspectives. Since the resultant theory emerges from data, it is considered as grounded (Hurley, et. al, 2011, p. 113) and hence the name.

Case studies deal with single unique entity or situation, which could be the study of an organization or individual as quoted by Yin (1994) in (Hurley, et. al, 2011, p. 113). There are certain advantages of this type research over the other, primary one being building theories inductively from a small sample. And the other is having access to the rèpertoire of complete information at one’s disposal. Yin’s original work enlists the conditions under which several research design methods could be preferred over the