ABSTRACT
Causational methodologies are what many people, no doubt influenced by bad science movies, see as “real” research. The aim is “proving” a DeLorean fitted with a nuclear motor can travel through time or that adding the blue stuff to the red stuff causes lots of steam to come out of the top. Of course, it’s a lot less simple than that in real life. This chapter examines four methodologies with causational potential. In each case, they have to be applied carefully and appropriately for this potential to be realized, but the aim of this chapter is to provide a basic understanding of what these terms mean and their strengths and challenges. The four methodologies discussed include experimental, quasi-experimental, large-scale survey, and grounded theory. Claims coming out of grounded theory research have to be pitched carefully.
