Polarization in Research Methods Application: Examining the Examiner

Abstract

This paper emerges as a reaction to the assertion of polarization or dichotomies in research method. The aim is to find out whether this assertion by some writers of research methods application, ‘hold water’ within academia. To that extent, the study designed a survey questionnaire to elicit the opinions of PhD supervisors and examiners from three North West region of England: University of Bolton, Salford, and Manchester. The study addresses the issue of polarization in research methods by investigating whether some researchers become dogmatic in the application of research method through supervision and examination of prospective researchers, PhD students? If so, what does that posture represents? Can a supervisor-student relationship be marred by these preferences? This research paper attempts to answer these questions from supervisors’/examiners’ perspective. A purposive and referral sampling methods were adopted to reach supervisors, who otherwise, would have declined to partake in such an incisive study. The findings of the study confirm some of the relationships between research philosophies and research approaches, and most importantly reveal the sentiments of the surveyed population on the apparent rivalry between research philosophies and approaches. Furthermore, the paper presents the candid observations and opinions of the writers on the qualitative/quantitative debate. The major limitation of the study is the abysmal response from the surveyed universities. This will in no doubt detract from the overall impact of the findings of the study.