Combining quantitative and qualitative methods

Combining numerical and soft methodsFor numerous years qualitative and denary methods of explore were seen as dickens distinct methods which could non be integrated delinquent to their differences. However, the combination of vicenary and qualitative methods has become widely advocated by re inquisiti iodiners collect to its pragmatism as Douglas puts itSince all investigate methods incur costs and benefits, and since they differ greatly in their particular costs and benefits, a exploreer generally finds it scoop up to use some combination or mixture of methods. (197630)However, it is an imperative for any interrogationer to take into consideration the technicalities and complexities of compounding research methods. This raise will lay out that it is practical to link up quantitative and qualitative methods furthermore, it is loveable. It is often said that cardinal opposites usually attract and thither is no divergence in this instance, even though it is said that the only similarities these two methodological positions share are many a(prenominal) of the same characters in their names. This essay will begin by briefly explaining the two methods. It will secondly highlight the embedded methods argument and criticise it in launch to justify the desirability of combination the two methods. This essay then aims to to wrap up out the leafy vegetable argument that combining the two methods is not desirable repayable to many researchers not having the relavent expertise. This essay will then analyse the purist criticisms of combining quantitative and qualitative methods before it presents the pragmatist position which highlights the desirability of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. This essay then contests that triangulation shows that it is both possible and desirable to combine the two methods, due to it contri furthering to the completeness and conformation of research. In conclusion this essay will argue that it is both desirable and possible to combine quantitative and qualitative methods and that miscellaneous methods research has or so won the paradigm wars due to its substance.Quantitative research methods tend to be ontologically giveationalist in that both natural and social phenomena are assumed to consecrate an existence that is independent of the activities of the human observer (Blaikie, 2007 13). and so, they swear in objectivity in research macrocosm possible. Research of this sort is usually epistemologically positivist, in that they accept that social science is analogous to the natural sciences. They number for causal explanations finished the use of scientific laws in order to explain social phenomena thus develop explanatory, and indeed predictive, models. ( marshland and Furlong, 2002 20). Examples of quantitative data are questionnaires, structured interviews and statistical analysis of official data.Whereas qualitative research methods tend to be ontologically an ti-foundationalist in that what we regard as the external world is just appearances and has no independent existence apart from our thoughts (2007 13). Therefore, the world is socially or discursively constructed and as a result objectivity in research is not possible. They usual encompass a non-positivist epistemology such(prenominal) as the interpretist tradition in which these researchers are concerned with understanding, not explanation, focuses on the marrow that actions have for agentsand offers their results as one interpretation of the relationship between the social phenomena studied. (2002 21)Qualitative research usually works with smaller amounts of data unlike quantitative research. Some variants of qualitative research are focus groups, case studies and unstructured interviews. peerless of the main criticisms of combining qualitative and quantitative methods lies with the embedded methods argument that is constitute by researchers who take a purist stance. They argue that quantitative and qualitative methods stomachnot be combined as this will compromise ones ontological and epistemological position. According to Marsh and Furlong your ontological and epistemological positions are like a skin not a sweater (2002 17). Therefore, researchers cannot interchange between their adopted positions for different research projects as they reflect fundamental different approaches to what social science is and how we do it (2002 21). They argue that the researchers ontological and epistemological positions affect all aspects of ones research. So for example, if one is ontologically foundationalist they cannot also argue people are able to socially construct certain aspects of life, such as sex activity. Or if you are epistemologically interpritivist you cannot use the natural sciences as a antecedent in the study of the social sciences.As shown above there certainly are differences amongst the two methods however, does this mean it is undesirable to com bine the two? It is very(prenominal) of the essence(p) for researchers to take into account their ontological and epistemological positions (as shown above they play an important role within research), although, researchers should not treat their ontological and epistemological positions as the nigh fundamental aspect for research. Combining the two methods is desirable, as one must not be all overwhelmed by the higher philosophical debate, as many researchers have been in the past, because this makes you forget that as a researcher undertaking a project you wish to undertake the best research possible and in order to do this you must understand that each method has a very crucial role to play in furthering our grasp and knowledge of the research question. Therefore one must understand that Qualitative and quantitative research makes up a false dichotomy There are many right ship canal to approach research, not only one right way. (Newman et al cited in Teddie and Tashakkori, 20 0928)Therefore, this idea that the different research methods have fixed epistemological and ontological positions that cannot be compromised is very hard to sustain. It is hard to sustain because, as critical realists argue, one can see the world as being both ontologically foundationalist and anti-foundationalist, in that you could believe that the world exists and is independent to a certain extent as the knowledge about it is socially constructed. Also, epistemologically, yes it is important to take into account your epistemological stance however, there are certain instances when it is necessary to look at the research question from a positivist stance and other instances when the research should be interpretivist. As Howe illustrates through the use of Kaplans story, were a drunken man searches under a lamp for his, which he had dropped a fair distance away. When asked why he was looking there and not where he dropped it, he said that the reason was because it was lighter wher e he was looking. Howe then argues that The incompatibility thesis, like the drunkards search, permits the lights to determine what is to be looked for and where. But why should paradigms determine the pleasing of work one may do with inquiry any more than the amount of illumination should determine where one may conduct a search? (Howe, 1988 13).Whilst considering whether or not it is possible and desirable to combine quantitative and qualitative research, one has come across a common argument in many articles and books. This being, that many researchers, do not have the skills and training to carry out both quantitative and qualitative research (Bryman, 2008 624). However, in my opinion this is understandable but ludicrous. Due to researchers in the past taking the position of either/or it is understandable that not all researchers have the necessary training to conduct such research, however, this is no excuse and it is time to take a more both-and perspective. It is almost like saying a goalkeeper that has learnt to save the ball on his odd hand should not try and learn to use both hands even if it will improve his goalkeeping skills as this is how he has learnt to play. Therefore, this should not be utilise as an excuse, moreover, it should be more of an encouragement to overcome this challenge because as pragmatists argue, as a researcher if you believe in this papers argument that combining the two methods are both desirable and possible then you as a researcher must strive to do whatever you can to give the best possible research you can.Purists tend to emphasise the ontological, epistemological, and axiological (the role of values in inquiry) differences. This incompatibility thesis is well stated by Smith, who says atomic number 53 approach takes a subject-object position on the relationship to subject matter the other takes a subject-subject position. One separates facts and values, while the other sees them as inextricably mixed. One searches f or laws, and the other seeks understanding. These positions do not seem compatible. (1983 12)Therefore, according to these theorists it is neither possible nor desirable to combine qualitative and quantitative methods as you would only be dooming your research for failure due to the inherent differences between the methods. However, other researchers which come from a pragmatist background argue that this is not the case and the differences are exaggerated and overdrawn.Rather than being wed to a particular theoretical style and its most compatible method, one might instead combine methods that would encourage or even quest integration of different theoretical perspectives to interpret the data. (Brewer Hunter, 1989 74)Pragmatism thus is thus is the belief in the ability to combine qualitative and quantitative methods without compromising your ontological and epistemological positions. lavson and Onwuegbuzie define the main characteristics of pragmatism as follows. It recognises the existence of this real world that positivists talk about but it also recognises this world which relies on socially and discursively constructed phenomena. For example, take gender again, it argues that yes gender does exist in that there are men and there are women, however, through discourse we have constructed gender in that we have attached further meaning to them (men are not meant to cry but instead should act manly, whilst women should be emotional and weak). It views knowledge as being both constructed and based on the reality of the world we experience and live in. It views theories instrumentally. It endorses empiricism as the way to find out what works. It endorses eclecticism and pluralism in that one can find different and conflicting perspectives useful to enhance ones understanding of people and the world. Also, current truth, meaning and knowledge are changing over time, therefore, one should treat research as only provisional truth at it could change in a matter of time (2004 18). This is a very realistic way of overcoming many of the criticisms of purists when combining methods even though it has some criticism itself. When put under the microscope it has been deemed to be very practical. This pragmatist position has highlighted the desirability of combining qualitative and quantitative methods by unravelling the purist incompatibility thesis through the rejection of the historical dualisms commonly associated with these methods and this essay will go on to proving that it is also possible to combine these methods.One way in which researchers can successfully combine qualitative and quantitative methods is through triangulation. Even though there are many methods of combining qualitative and quantitative methods, such as, completeness, offset, process. This essay will focus on triangulation due to the space and time limitations. The early use of the term triangulation was not found in social science but instead, navigation and surveying. This term was used to describe when different bearings are taken, in order to be lead to a specific physical location, however, the second bearing here was not used to check the first bearing but instead they work together in order to indentify that specific location(Brannen, 200512). Denzin distinguished between the triangulation within methods and the triangulation between methods. Although, this essay will concentrate on the triangulation between methods, it is important to note that the triangulation within methods is desirable if need be, however, it does not solve any of the fundamental problems inherited by single method research. The methodological triangulation of Denzin(1978) refers to the combination of multiple methods as no method altogether can adequately treat all problems of discovery and testing.(Mouton and Marais, 1996 2006). Johnson and Onwuegbuzie take the term to mean, seeking convergence and corroboration of results from different methods and designs studying the same phenomenon (2004 22). For Jick it is largely a vehicle for cross validation when two or more distinct methods are found to be congruent and yield comparable data. (1979 602). It is already clear that the term triangulation has a plurality of meanings varying from researcher to researcher. However, the core principles of triangulation aim to increase the validity of studies, by overcoming the inherent biases and limitations of either of the methods through using two or more methods which lead to the same findings. Therefore, if psyche was conducting a study to investigate the link between age and who you vote for, they should not only look at the statistics but also question people on why they voted the way they have, because there could be reasons such as tactical voting, were for example someone only voted Labour because they did not want the Conservatives to get elected and if the situation was different they would have ideally voted for the Liberal Democrats. The use of the two different methods can help you falsify and understand your results in much more depth than you would by just using the one method.Jick (1979) conducted a study of anxiety and task insecurity of employees during a merger. This study used data from, co-worker observations, interviews, questionnaires and company archival records. The use of the different sources of data allowed Jick to see different perspectives on the situations personal effects on the employees. Jick had also found that when the use of the different methods did not corroborate each other it led to him seeking explanations for divergent results and as a result, the researcher may uncover unexpected results or unseen contextual factors (1979 608). Jicks study shows that combining quantitative and qualitative methods through triangulation can lead to better research as an implication of the change magnitude validity and sometimes vigour it contributes to the study in question. However, it is important to unde rstand that the two methods should not be combined for the interest group of it or just because a researcher believes that, more is good, as in many instances this is not the case. Therefore, researchers must make sure that they only combine research when the conditions are right. In conclusion, triangulation has not only shown that it is desirable to combine quantitative and qualitative methods, but it has also shown that it is possible to combine the two methods , due to it alter to the completeness and conformation of research.One only has to look at the shifting of the so called paradigm wars (Oakley, 1999) in order to see that it is both possible and desirable to combine quantitative and qualitative methods. Since the beginning of this so called war the proponents of both quantitative and qualitative methods have criticised each others methods and defended their own. The lack of a clear winner was one of the main reasons the combination of the two methods became so popular in the past and now the mixed methods approach has become very popular. This essay has shown that it is both possible and desirable to combine the methods and The growing popularity of mixed methods research would seem to signal the end of the paradigm wars (2008 625). Even though mixed method research has many difficulties and criticisms itself, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages by far, as it adds breadth and depth to the analysis of the research. As Mingers correctly points out, the attractiveness of multimethod research, in terms of the richness and increased validity of the results, will work in its favour in the long run (2003 246). Both this richness and validity talked about by many researchers such as Mingers, is a compelling argument for the combination of quantitative and qualitative research and this essay has shown that it is possible to combine the two methods through the use of triangulation.This essay began by briefly explaining the two methods. I t then went on to highlight the embedded methods argument before criticising it for not being sustainable. This essay then dismissed the common argument that combining the two methods is not desirable due to many researchers not having the relevant expertise by arguing that due to the desirability and practicality of mixed methods approaches researcher should find a way to mix the two methods in order to undertake better research when necessary. This essay then analysed the purist criticisms of combining quantitative and qualitative methods before it presented the pragmatist position which highlighted the desirability of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. This essay then argued that triangulation shows that it is both possible and desirable to combine the two methods, due to it contributing to the completeness and conformation of research. 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