Methodological choices made by researchers (i.e. whether research is to be experimental, survey, phenomenological, grounded theory, action and so on) are guided by their theoretical and philosophical positions. There are a number of theoretical perspectives from which all research stems, including positivism, postpositivism, interpretivism, critical enquiry, feminism, postmodernism and post-structuralism (Crotty 1998). Positivists believe there is a truth that can be found and that one’s goal in research is to find, study and report that truth usually by testing a theory through quantitative studies and inferential tests, and drawing conclusions that can be generalised to a stated population. Some qualitative work claims to take a positivist stance also, through the search for one substantiated theory (Johnson 1999), although this is strongly debated (Glaser 2002). While positivism appears to be objective and scientific, it is important to acknowledge that no study of humans and their world can possibly be completely free of the researcher’s influence (Koch 1998 and Payne 2003). Postpositivists realise that one can never reach one truth, but endeavour to capture as much of reality as is possible, using multiple methods to do so (Racher & Robinson 2002).

Interpretive researchers assume that gathering knowledge about a particular population can only be done through shared consciousness, meanings and language and believe that it is not possible to separate the researcher from the research in any objective manner (Racher & Robinson 2002). The research approach used tends to be qualitative in nature; for example, Dunniece and Slevin’s work on palliative care nursing, where a hermeneutic approach was used to explore the lived experience of seven nurses working in the palliative care field (Dunniece & Slevin 2002). Critical researchers believe that the ability of people to alter their economic and social circumstances is hindered by the power and control exerted by social, political and cultural influences. The main aim of critical research is to empower and emancipate those who are the focus of the research (Fontana 2004) and is thus similar, in many respects, to feminist research. Research approaches would include participatory action research and gender-focused studies, such as the work on men and masculinities undertaken by the CROME group in Europe (The CROME Network 2004).

In critical theory, binary oppositions are identified, such as the perceived higher status of male versus female, and a reversal of the opposition is attempted. Post-structuralism also identifies and challenges these hierarchies, but does not privilege one partner over another (Francis 2000).

Deciding which theoretical perspective to guide your study will influence your choice of methodology and research methods. In general, all methodologies lie within one or other of two main research approaches, qualitative or quantitative.

These two research approaches are often portrayed as though they opposed one another, whereas in fact they can be used to supplement and balance each other. Some research methods use aspects from both approaches, and many researchers are now using both approaches in the same study in the process of triangulation (Adami & Kiger 2005).