e., his/her understanding of the nature of social reality and how knowledge of that reality can be gained. (Naslund, 2005) Naslund (2005) states that qualitative research methods "primarily create meanings and explanations to research phenomena" and include data collection methods such as:

(1) Observation;

(2) Fieldwork including interviews and questionnaires, diary methods, documents and texts, case studies; and (3) the researcher's impressions and reactions to observed phenomena. Quantitative research methods serve to make provision of a broad range of situations as well as being fast and economical.

Commonly utilized quantitative research methods include those of:

(1) Laboratory experiments;

(2) Formal methods; and (3) Numerical methods and techniques. (Naslund, 2005)

Naslund states that analysis identifies a number of interesting trends and trends that are potentially important in logistics research. One relates to the use of survey methods in logistics according to Naslund who states that in the past several years "a considerable proportion of the survey-based method of data collection has been analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM)." (2005) also noted is a trending toward "greater application of case methods." (Naslund, 2005)

Added to the increase in the use of case studies two more observed related aspects include:

(1) more thorough descriptions of the logic behind using a case study; and (2) more thorough descriptions of the actual case(s) used. (Naslund, 2005)

According to Naslund "In the past, the term "case" research in logistics was a phrase oftentimes used out of its proper methods context. In actuality, most logistics researchers who stated that they were utilizing "case" research methods were neither describing the rationale for using a case study nor how the case study was conducted." (2005)

Naslund states that as the logistics discipline has evolved there has been a call generated for logistics research to become

"…more rigorous with respect to theory development and practitioner application. We see several different responses to this challenge. First, the increased use of SEM as well as simulation would seem to reflect a research purpose driven to discover and explain causality. In the specific instance of SEM, its increased usage may also be evidence of researchers who have already looked at an issue with...

In other words, if all (or most of the new analytical techniques) are causal, whether they are quantitative or qualitative in nature, researchers will tend to use those techniques to explore research hypotheses. second, the use of more stringent case methods reflects a research purpose driven to discover greater depth/richness in the understanding of problems as well as accompanying potential solutions." (Naslund 2002; and Yin 1994, as cited in Naslund, 2005)
Publication of recent research indicates that "case-based research can be as useful and rigorous as other research methods." (Naslund, 2005) Naslund relates that the use of triangulation suggests that logistics researchers see value in combining methods to increase theory development and improve data collection." (2005)

Logistics problems, are stated by Naslund (2005) to be "often ill-structured, even messy, real-world problems. Logistics uses multi-disciplinary and cross-functional approaches. In order to provide value to industry, education in the classroom, the discipline as a whole, logistics researchers must gain "extreme relevance" by understanding what is going on within and between organizations." (Naslund, 2005) Logistics research will realize benefits through the researcher investing time observing and communicating with professionals performing logistics in action.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Experimental Research (2009) Experimental Resources. Online available at: http://www.experiment-resources.com/experimental-research.html

Yin, Robert K. (1994), Case Study Research: Design and Methods, Applied Social Research Methods Series, Vol. 5, Sage Publications Inc.

Naslund, Dag (2005) the White Space of Logistics Research: A Look at the Role of Methods Usage. Journal of Business Logistics. 1 Jan 2005. Online available at: http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/1060164-1.html

Congdon, Justin D. And Dunham, Arthur E. (1999) Defining the Beginning: The Importance of Research Design. Research and Management Techniques. No. 4, 1999. Online available at: http://www.experiment-resources.com/experimental-research.htm

Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. (1989), "Building Theories from Case Study Research," Academy of Management Review, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 532-550.