A study note on pluralism in dissertation project works (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What is pluralism in the subject research methods all about with reference to business management, housing studies and accounting & finance"
The reply: "Pluralism in research methods, often termed methodological pluralism, refers to the use of multiple research methods, approaches, or theories within the same study or research program to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon. This approach recognizes that no single method or theory can fully capture the complexity of social, organizational, or economic realities. Instead, pluralism embraces diversity in perspectives and methods, aiming to produce richer, more valid, and reliable findings by triangulating data from different sources and methodologies.
General Concept of Methodological Pluralism
Methodological pluralism involves combining qualitative and quantitative methods within the same research to maximize validity and reliability through triangulation. For example, qualitative methods like participant observation and group interviews can be used alongside quantitative surveys or experiments to explore different facets of a research question12. Pluralistic qualitative research may also involve applying multiple qualitative analytical approaches (such as thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, or narrative analysis) to the same data to produce more holistic insights2.
Pluralism in Business Management
In business management research, pluralism often takes the form of theoretical triangulation or theoretical pluralism, where multiple theories are used to explain organizational phenomena. This approach acknowledges that organizational realities are complex and multifaceted, and no single theory can monopolize explanations. By employing multiple theories and complementary research methods, researchers can gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of organizational practices and managerial decision-making3. For instance, management accounting research benefits from combining different theoretical perspectives and methods to explore various organizational layers and contexts3.
Pluralism in Housing Studies
Housing studies, particularly in community psychology research related to housing and recovery residences, exemplify methodological pluralism by integrating diverse research designs and methods. Studies on recovery residences like Oxford House use a pluralistic research program that includes quantitative methods (longitudinal, observational, experimental, cross-sectional surveys) and qualitative methods to understand the multifaceted experiences of residents and the effectiveness of these housing models. This pluralism allows researchers to capture both broad patterns (through quantitative data) and rich, contextualized descriptions (through qualitative data), enhancing the rigor and relevance of findings. It also aligns with community psychology values of diversity, empowerment, and active participation of community members in research4.
Pluralism in Accounting & Finance
In accounting and finance research, pluralism is often discussed as theoretical triangulation, where multiple theories are employed to explain accounting phenomena within organizational contexts. This pluralism is complemented by methodological pluralism, where various research methods are used to critically examine different aspects of accounting practices. The use of multiple theories and methods is seen as complementary rather than competing, enriching understanding by addressing the social, economic, and cultural contexts of accounting and finance. Such pluralism helps overcome the limitations of single-theory or single-method studies and provides a more comprehensive picture of accounting information's role in organizations3.
Summary Table of Pluralism in Research Methods by Subject
In conclusion, pluralism in research methods across business management, housing studies, and accounting & finance involves integrating multiple theories and methods to address the complexity of real-world phenomena. This approach enhances the depth, validity, and applicability of research findings by acknowledging and exploring diverse perspectives rather than relying on a single method or theoretical lens1234."
My question 2: "What are the challenges for university students to use pluralism in their dissertation works with reference to business management, housing studies and accounting & finance?"
The reply: "University students face several notable challenges when attempting to apply pluralism in their dissertation research across business management, housing studies, and accounting & finance. These challenges stem from the complexity of integrating multiple methods and theories, as well as practical and epistemological issues specific to each field.
Key Challenges for Students Using Pluralism in Dissertations
1. Paradigm and Epistemological Conflicts
Pluralism requires making explicit paradigmatic assumptions because no pluralist methodology is free from underlying epistemological commitments. Students often struggle with reconciling conflicting paradigms (e.g., positivism vs. interpretivism) when combining qualitative and quantitative methods or multiple theories15.
In housing studies, the multi-disciplinary nature and the diversity of theoretical frameworks (social, economic, spatial, cultural) make it difficult to develop a coherent theoretical framework that integrates these perspectives meaningfully3.
2. Psychological Resistance and Learning Curve
Many students experience psychological resistance due to unfamiliarity with multiple methods or theories. They may feel overwhelmed by the need to master diverse research designs, data collection, and analysis techniques14.
Methodological pluralism demands a broad knowledge base and skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods, which can be challenging within typical dissertation timeframes and resource constraints4.
3. Lack of Cultural and Institutional Readiness
Academic cultures or supervisory environments may not be fully supportive or knowledgeable about pluralistic approaches, leading to skepticism or lack of guidance for students pursuing pluralism1.
This is particularly relevant in business management and accounting & finance, where traditional single-method or single-theory approaches may dominate, making it harder for students to justify or defend pluralistic designs5.
4. Practical Difficulties in Implementation
Housing research highlights the challenge of dealing with site-specific, context-dependent phenomena that require integrating diverse data types and disciplinary insights, complicating data collection, analysis, and interpretation3.
In business management, combining multiple organizational theories and methods requires careful alignment to avoid producing fragmented or contradictory findings5.
Accounting and finance research requires balancing theories with epistemological tensions and selecting appropriate methods to explore different layers of meaning, which can be difficult for students without extensive methodological training5.
5. Time and Resource Constraints
Pluralistic research often involves more complex study designs, longer data collection phases, and more sophisticated analysis, which can be difficult to manage within the limited time and resources available to students4.
6. Integration and Coherence of Findings
Synthesizing results from multiple methods or theories into a coherent narrative is challenging. Students must ensure that pluralistic approaches do not lead to disjointed or superficial conclusions but instead provide deeper, complementary insights45.
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