The question asks us to identify the correct statements that describe the relationship between different research approaches (Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Method), their associated worldviews, strategies of inquiry, and data collection methods.

Understanding these connections is fundamental in research methodology. Let's analyze each statement:

Analyzing Research Approaches and Worldviews

Research approaches are guided by underlying worldviews or philosophical assumptions about the nature of reality and knowledge. Different approaches align best with specific worldviews.

• Quantitative Approach: Often associated with the Post-positivist worldview, which assumes an objective reality that can be studied and measured.
• Qualitative Approach: Commonly linked to the Constructivist worldview, where reality is seen as subjective and socially constructed. It can also align with Participatory or Transformative worldviews, emphasizing action and change.
• Mixed Methods Approach: Typically rooted in the Pragmatic worldview, which focuses on solving problems and using whatever methods work best to understand the issue, combining quantitative and qualitative perspectives.

Evaluating Each Statement

Let's examine each statement provided in the question:

Analyzing Statement A: Quantitative Approach

Statement A says: Quantitative approach - Post-positivist worldview, experimental strategy of enquiry and pre and posttest measures of attitudes.

• Quantitative approach: This is appropriate for measuring variables and testing relationships.
• Post-positivist worldview: This worldview aligns well with quantitative research, which seeks to measure and test objective phenomena.
• Experimental strategy of enquiry: This is a key strategy in quantitative research, designed to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables and measuring outcomes.
• Pre and posttest measures of attitudes: This is a standard method for collecting quantitative data in experimental or quasi-experimental designs to assess change over time.

Based on this analysis, Statement A correctly links the quantitative approach with its typical worldview, strategy, and data collection method.

Understanding Statement B: Qualitative Approach

Statement B says: Qualitative approach - Constructivist worldview, ethnographic design and observation of behaviour.

• Qualitative approach: Suitable for exploring experiences and understanding meanings.
• Constructivist worldview: This worldview is strongly associated with qualitative research, focusing on subjective meanings and interpretations.
• Ethnographic design: This is a major qualitative strategy aimed at describing and interpreting the culture of a group or community.
• Observation of behaviour: This is a common data collection method in ethnography and other qualitative studies to understand actions and interactions within their natural context.

Therefore, Statement B accurately describes a common alignment within qualitative research.

Examining Statement C: Qualitative Approach (Participatory Worldview)

Statement C says: Qualitative approach - Participatory worldview, narrative design and open-ended interviewing.

• Qualitative approach: Applicable here as narrative design and open-ended interviews are qualitative methods.
• Participatory worldview: While Constructivist is very common, the Participatory or Transformative worldview is also associated with certain qualitative research designs, particularly those focused on social justice and action. This link is valid.
• Narrative design: This is a qualitative strategy focused on collecting and analyzing stories from individuals to understand their lives and experiences.
• Open-ended interviewing: This is a primary data collection technique for gathering detailed stories and perspectives in narrative research and other qualitative studies.

Statement C presents another valid configuration for qualitative research.

Assessing Statement D: Mixed Method Approach

Statement D says: Mixed method approach - Pragmatic worldview, collection of both qualitative and quantitative data sequentially.

• Mixed method approach: This approach intentionally combines both types of data.
• Pragmatic worldview: This worldview provides the philosophical foundation for mixed methods, emphasizing practical solutions and using diverse methods to understand a problem.
• Collection of both qualitative and quantitative data sequentially: This describes a common mixed methods design (e.g., sequential explanatory or sequential exploratory), where one type of data is collected first, followed by the other.

Statement D correctly characterizes the mixed method approach, its worldview, and a typical data collection strategy.

Analyzing Statement E: Qualitative Approach (Incorrect Alignment)

Statement E says: Qualitative approach - Post-positivist worldview, experimental strategy of inquiry and pre and post-test measures of attitudes.

• Qualitative approach: This approach focuses on understanding meanings and experiences, not typically on objective measurement and cause-effect testing.
• Post-positivist worldview: This worldview is primarily associated with quantitative research, not qualitative.
• Experimental strategy of inquiry: This is a quantitative research design, not a qualitative one.
• Pre and post-test measures: These are quantitative data collection methods.

Statement E incorrectly combines elements primarily associated with quantitative research (Post-positivist worldview, experimental strategy, pre/post-tests) with the qualitative approach. This statement is incorrect.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, statements A, B, C, and D are correct descriptions of research approaches, worldviews, strategies, and data collection methods. Statement E is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct combination of statements is A, B, C and D only.

Revision Table: Research Concepts

Additional Information: Linking Worldviews, Approaches, and Designs

Here's a summary of typical links between worldviews, research approaches, and strategies of inquiry:

• Post-positivism: Primarily quantitative research. Strategies include experiments, surveys, correlational studies. Focus on objective measurement and testing theories.
• Constructivism: Primarily qualitative research. Strategies include ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, narrative research. Focus on understanding subjective meanings and experiences.
• Pragmatism: Mixed methods research. Strategies involve combining quantitative and qualitative designs (e.g., sequential, concurrent, transformative). Focus on solving practical problems using multiple perspectives.
• Participatory/Transformative: Primarily qualitative research, often mixed methods. Strategies include participatory action research, critical ethnography. Focus on social justice, advocacy, and empowering marginalized groups.

Understanding these underlying philosophical assumptions helps researchers choose appropriate methods and interpret findings within their chosen framework.