Methodological fit in management field research
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This document discusses methodological fit in management field research. It defines methodological fit as the internal consistency among the research questions, existing theory, methods of data collection, and analysis. It presents a framework that relates the stage of prior theory (mature, nascent, or intermediate) to the appropriate research questions, data collection methods, and potential theoretical contributions. The framework is intended to help researchers align their theory and methods through an iterative process of conceptualization, data collection, analysis, and refining of the theory based on feedback. Maintaining methodological fit is important for conducting valid field research and advancing management theory.
Methodological fit in management field research
- 1. METHODOLOGICAL FIT IN MANAGEMENT FIELD RESEARCH AMY C. EDMONDSON - Harvard Business School STACY E. MCMANUS - Monitor Executive Development 1 Prepared by/ Nashwa Ghoneim
- 2. Gap! Methodological fit has received little attention in management literature. Guidelines for achieving methodological fit aren’t available for researchers. Conditions under which hybrid methods are useful, aren’t widely recognized. 2
- 3. What is meant by methodological fit and why field research? Methodological fit is the internal consistency among 4 elements of a research project. Field research studies real people, real problems in real organizations by collecting original data. N.B.: Unexpected data collection opportunities may spur field research then methodological fit is guided by the state of the relevant theory. 3
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- 6. How can researchers understand methodological fit? Reviewing published papers allow researchers to determine how manuscripts have been evaluated for having a good methodological fit. Developing a toolbox of methods relevant to answering various types of research questions. Deconstructing exemplars as case studies for understanding tradeoffs in real research settings. Developing proposals and discussing them in groups for experiential education. 6
- 7. Serendipity in field research, i.e., if data collected for one reason are used for another reason resulting a poor methodological fit .. Why! Because methodological fits complies with particular research questions/objectives guiding the initial inquiry. 7
- 8. Theory continuum in management research 1. Mature theory: has well developed constructs and models studied over time with increasing precision by a variety of scholars which yields cumulative knowledge. 2. Nascent theory: proposes tentative answers to novel research questions of how& why suggesting new connections among various phenomena. 3. Intermediate theory: provides provisional explanations of phenomena introducing new constructs and proposing new relationships between them and well established ones. 8
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- 10. Why conduct new field research for mature theories? Topics related to mature theory rely on extensive literature to identify variables of underlying phenomena. New research refines field’s knowledge by discovering moderators and mediators affecting well established causal relationships. Example: understating the organizational and psychological dynamics that inhibit system’s change even with failing performance! 10
- 11. When to use/ combine qualitative and quantitative methods in research projects? In a well established body of work, quantitative methods are valuable. In a growing body of work, qualitative methods are valuable. Mixed methods achieve the goal of increasing the validity of new measures through triangulation (a process through which the same phenomenon is assessed with different methods to determine whether congruence across methods exists or not!). 11
- 12. Similarities among theory studies 12
- 13. Similarities among theory studies 13
- 15. Mean tendencies and off-diagonal opportunities The 3 archetypes of theory situate along the diagonal representing a mean tendency. Off-diagonal opportunities exist when the study focus is reframed from broad to narrow “examining an area where theory isn’t mature”. (B) Represents an intersection of mature theory and qualitative data .. Field research can be located conceptually. (A) Represents an intersection of nascent theory and quantitative data .. Difficult to justify! Off-diagonal points 15
- 16. Off-diagonal research opportunities exist when researchers open a new area of inquiry within a familiar topic. The area below the diagonal presents creative opportunities for theoretical contributions. The area above the diagonal won’t produce compelling field research. Research project may start in the upper-hand corner migrating down to intermediate status after surprising quantitative findings are obtained. 16
- 17. Problems of poor methodological fit17 6
- 18. The fitting process Methodological fit occurs through a cyclic learning process “backward and forward”. Fitting is an iterative process involving continuous feedback and modifications. Considerable time should be spent prior to data collection. Fitting Mature theory Nascent theory Conceptualization is early. Conceptualization is late. 18
- 19. Contributions 1. Provide a contingency framework which relates the stage of prior theory to research questions, data collection, analysis, theoretical contributions in a mutually reinforcing manner. 2. Help new field researchers to develop their ability to align theory and methods in field research. 3. Help researchers identify opportunities for hybrid methods. 4. Promote methodological fit as an iterative learning process in which feedback, rethinking and revising are valuable activities. 5. Methodological fit has roots in organizational research. 19
- 20. Critique! There shouldn’t be mutually exclusive and exhaustive categorization of the links between data and methods because various combinations are mutually reinforcing and new insights can suggest the switch to other combinations. They didn’t refer to other theoretical paradigms like the grounded theory, mid-range theory research and their methodological fit. Statistical analysis of various types of data may satisfy the needs of the 3 archetypes of theories developed in the suggested contingency framework. 20