ABSTRACT
As explained in Chapter 2, there are no perfect studies, methods or research designs. In the real world of research all sorts of unexpected issues and problems arise. Furthermore, although some researchers or organisations will advocate the benefits of perhaps quantitative research over qualitative methods, this can be a political decision. This is also outlined in Chapter 2 and explored in more depth in Chapter 6. In other words, sometimes the debate around which methods are best for investigating any particular question can become bound up with a particular professional expertise or group of researchers who argue for a certain view of the world. Set these against another group of researchers with different ideas and the debate becomes ‘politicised’ in the sense that such beliefs about what is right or wrong are held passionately. Add to this mix the various theories that underpin the methods of research and the potentially explosive and controversial nature of choosing which method becomes more understandable.
