Battle of the paradigms.
Business Research Methods
RESE1170
Workshop 2
January, 2023
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
By the end of today, you will:
1. Have considered the
characteristics, strengths and
weaknesses of qualitative and
quantitative research.
2. Briefed on next week’s tutorial
Today’s learning
outcomes
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Outline the rules of the debate, and
configure classroom.
Activity 1: Secret poll of the
proposition (10mins)
Activity 2: Outline the rules of
debate (10mins)
Activity 3: Each side of the debate
prepares their arguments (30mins).
Break (10mins).
Activity 4: The debate (30 minutes).
Activity 5: Secret poll of the
proposition.
Briefing for next week’s workshop:
research design, sampling.
Schedule
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
The motion for this debate is:
“Quantitative research is superior to qualitative approaches in
studying businesses and organisations?”
Let’s take a quick poll right now to see how many in this room
agree with this statement (You don’t need to vote in the same
Take a scrap of paper and vote “Agree” or “disagree”.
Activity 1: Secret Poll
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
This workshop centres around a debate. A debate is a formal
argument in which opposing views are aired.
Debating gives us the opportunity to hone our skills in public
speaking, structuring arguments, and skills of persuasion.
Debating is an important part of public life. Politicians, academics,
managers, executives, trade unionists, and many other
professionals will debate with each other about the best way to do
things, or agree a way forward.
Activity 2: Introduction to debating
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
1. Debates are structured around a proposition, those who argue in favour
of the proposition are called ‘proponents’. Those who argue against the
proposition are called ‘opposers’.
2. The tutor will act as a ‘speaker’ (a moderator) and will propose the
debate motion.
3. The proposers start the debate with a short speech on why they agree
with the proposition.
4. The opposers then present a short speech on why they disagree with
the proposition.
5. Each side will then take turns to offer counterarguments. It is
important that you listen to the contributions of others so that you are
able to build on what they have said with new points, .
Activity 2: Rules of debate I
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
6. The same person cannot speak more than twice. This way, as many
people as possible can contribute towards the debate.
7. At the end of the debate, each side will sum up their arguments, taking
into account what the other side has said.
8. There will then be another secret poll to see if anyone has changed
their minds.
Activity 2: Rules of debate II
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
❖ An opportunity to hone your public speaking and debating
skills
❖ Helps you structure verbal arguments
❖ Helps you consider two sides of an argument before
reaching a decision (or to change our minds).
❖ Helps you towards the assessment as you will have to:
2. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the research approach and
design.
Why does this matter?
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Preparation for the debate
❖ Split the classroom into two groups. Randomly allocate one
group as the ‘proponents’, and the other as the ‘opposers’.
❖ The tutor will hand out briefing sheets (also on Moodle)
outlining the strengths and limitations of both quantitative
and qualitative research.
Activity 3: Preparation for the debate I
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
❖ Spend the next 30 minutes preparing your arguments in
favour/opposition to the motion. The tutor will move between the
two groups to help guide you.
❖ You will need to open the debate with a short (2min) speech, so
you will need to nominate someone to do this.
❖ This speech should state that you support/oppose the motion, and
why.
❖ You will also need to prepare 5 arguments/counter arguments
which you can use to respond to the “other side”
Activity 3: Preparation for the debate II
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
❖ Well done one your work so far! You are on your way to cracking a
difficult topic for many people: understanding research
methodology.
❖ Take a short 10min break now.
❖ While you do this, the room will be reconfigured into a suitable
arrangement for the debate.
Take a break!
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2023
Speaker: “The motion is:
“Quantitative research is superior to qualitative approaches
in studying businesses and organisations?”
Order:
1. Proponents make their case
2. Opponents make their case
3. Proponents respond
4. Opponents respond
5. Etc.
Activity 4: The debate
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Let’s take a quick poll again to see who agreed with this statement,
and if anyone has changed their minds.
“Quantitative research is superior to qualitative approaches in
studying businesses and organisations?”
Activity 5: Secret Poll
This image by unknown author is liscenced under CC BY 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Enhance your grades
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Both assessments of this module both require you to write a
small amount on research methodology. The second part of the
assessment requires you to:
2. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the research
approach and design
You can use your learning this week to start answering this by
writing a few paragraphs outlining quantitative and qualitative
methodology, their strengths and weaknesses. Use your reading
of proper references (see Moodle) to support your work.
Assessment homework
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022
Further
help with
studying
1. Study skills:
https://libguides.gre.ac.uk/academicskil
ls
2. Referencing:
https://libguides.gre.ac.uk/referencing
3. Proof-reading and feedback:
https://libguides.gre.ac.uk/studiosity
4. Wellbeing, mental health and
counselling:
Your personal tutor, or
https://www.gre.ac.uk/studentservices/support/student-wellbeing
Created by: Dr Scott Tindal, 2022