Descriptive Research Methods

This chapter explains how and why different research methods are selected by the author. The author has made logical justification of different research methodology techniques in accordance with the aim and objectives of the research. Research methodology helps the researcher to get a systematic solution of the research problems. Kumar (2008) mentioned research methodology as the science of conducting research. Cottrell and McKenzie (2011) argued good research should be followed by the well-established previous theories.

9.1 Research Process

According to the onion model of Saunders et al (2009), a good research should generally consist of valid and justified research philosophy, research approach, research strategy, research design and data

Blaikie (2009) argued that logical satisfaction can be gained by explanation. In case of conducting explanatory research, motivating reasons and justification of results are expected by the researchers (Rubin et al, 2010).

Descriptive Research

If it is necessary to understand and describe the contextual condition of the research study, descriptive research should be conducted. Descriptive research will be appropriate for the researchers who want to recognise present and past state of events (Rubin et al, 2010). In most cases, descriptive research is directed by the experiences and expectations of the author (Saunders et al, 2009).

Justification of Research Design

While selecting the research design, the researcher prioritised explanatory research as the most compatible design for this research due to the argument made by Blaikie (2009) that theories, which are not justified as existing theory, can gain stability and logical satisfaction through explanation. This argument best matches the objective of this research to develop new idea and policy framework for the policy makers in Bangladesh based on the existing human capital theory and triple helix model of university-industry-government relations. Another justification for choosing explanatory research design is that it establishes relationships among different facts (Blaikie, 2009); and one of the basic tasks of this research is to

Quantitative research ensures the simple division of the information in order to let the researcher plan statistically. Research findings should go through the pilot-test in order to ensure the authority and trustworthiness of collected data while conducting quantitative research (Hardy and Bryman, 2009). Cottrell and McKenzie (2011) mentioned quantitative method as a traditional research type.

Qualitative Research

Researchers conduct qualitative research in the view of finding answers and investigating the topic question of the research (Cottrell and Mckenzie, 2011). One of the aims of qualitative research is the construction of experimental understanding (Stake, 2010). Sometimes researchers are not sure about what they are looking for in the research. In this situation, researchers should conduct qualitative research.

Justification of Quantitative and Qualitative