Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches: an overview

Abstract

This chapter outlines the methodology of combining qualitative and quantitative approaches and to consider some of the theoretical implications of the strategy. It considers some of the issues and problems in combining methods in social science research and what are commonly assumed to be the main differences between qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Enumerative and analytic induction have different starting points therefore: enumerative induction abstracts by generalizing whereas analytic induction generalizes by abstracting. Issues of generalizability and extrapolation are closely tied to the process of selecting cases for study. An important constraint upon choice of methods is the funding context - the requirements of the funders and the researchers' perceptions of the funders and also their perceptions of what the funders expect researchers to provide. The typical research career rarely offers the opportunity to develop both sets of skills and, where it does, not to a balanced degree. The final consideration governing the choice of methods concerns political values and perspectives.

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