In carrying out research there is much discussion (sometimes anguished) about the merits of induction or deduction. The former is concerned with reasoning from specific cases to more general and requires subjective judgement by the researcher. The latter is concerned with reasoning from general premises, known or presumed to be known, to more specific, and certain conclusions requiring objectivity by the researcher.

This session will describe the merits of both and stress that they are not necessarily mutually exclusive and, indeed, can co-exist in what’s known as ‘mixed methods’.

This session will also explain how researchers should develop their understanding of philosophical range of possibilities that exists and provide explanation of ontology which is the branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being and epistemology which is the phenomena is studied in a way that will allow its nature and‘grounds of knowledge’ to be appropriately presented with reference to limits and validity.

This free interactive webinar will start at 13.00 UK time (GMT).

To maximise the learning for participants, questions may be posted to the webinar discussion board after your registration. These will be addressed during the webinar.

Webinar learning outcomes:

• Appreciation of the philosophical assumptions and explanations
• Knowing what the range of tools and techniques available are
• Developing personal confidence in selection of methods
• Understanding the role of theory and its interplay in surfacing knowledge
• Understanding the power of refection and agility
• Appropriateness of method and connection to validity of empirical data
• Confidence in challenging assumptions