The Potential of Working Hypotheses for Deductive Exploratory Research

Date

2020-12

Authors

Casula, Mattia
Rangarajan, Nandhini
Shields, Patricia M.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Abstract

While hypotheses frame explanatory studies and provide guidance for measurement and statistical tests, deductive, exploratory research does not have a framing device like the hypothesis. To this purpose, this article examines the landscape of deductive, exploratory research and offers the working hypothesis as a flexible, useful framework that can guide and bring coherence across the steps in the research process. The working hypothesis conceptual framework is introduced, placed in a philosophical context, defined, and applied to public administration and comparative public policy. Doing so, this article explains: the philosophical underpinning of exploratory, deductive research; how the working hypothesis informs the methodologies and evidence collection of deductive, explorative research; the nature of micro-conceptual frameworks for deductive exploratory research; and, how the working hypothesis informs data analysis when exploratory research is deductive.

Description

Keywords

exploratory research, working hypothesis, deductive qualitative research, pragmatism, Political Science

Citation

Casula, M., Rangarajan, N., & Shields, P. M. (2020). The potential of working hypotheses for deductive exploratory research. Quality and Quantity.

Rights

Rights Holder

© The Author(s).

Rights License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Rights URI