These two slides show two ways of thinking about how research elements interact. The first one sets out the sequence from Perspective [philosophy/beliefs] to Approaches [practical issues] to Methods [the tasks required to undertake research. The second one reverses, this to emphasise that we usually choose our Perspective before we settle on our Approach, and well before we begin selecting the Methods with which the work of the research will be done.

1. Research Methods
Selection of the tools for the research is
aligned with the Approach and Underlying
perspective.
Research Approaches
Guided by their philosophical stance
people ‘frame’ their research in particular
ways and begin selecting how they will
conduct the Research
Research Perspectives
The philosophical stance that informs all
that the researcher will do

2. Research Perspectives
The way people LOOK at research as a
process – these also have beliefs attached to
them
Research Approaches
How people ‘frame’ their research. The two
ends of the spectrum are often called ‘hard
data’ and ‘soft sciences’ . A mixed methods
approach chooses elements from along the
spectrum and combines them
Research Methods
The specific tools and tactics people use to
CONDUCT their research. These reflect their
users beliefs about what constitutes ‘good
data’