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Paradigmatic Compatibility Matters: A Critical Review of Qualitative-Quantitative Debate in Mixed Methods Research

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  • Yang Liu

Abstract

Although mixed methods research becomes increasingly popular, the issue that to what extent qualitative and quantitative research methods can be combined is insufficiently explored. To fill this gap, this critical literature review revisits the qualitative-quantitative debate between proponents and opponents of mixed methods research, examines the underlying philosophical assumptions held by two sides, and provides a new perspective to evaluate research combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. A brief review of the origin and development of mixed methods research is provided, followed by a presentation of the divergent opinions of proponents and opponents of mixed methods research and an illustration of why grounded theory, classified as a qualitative research method, can work well with quantitative studies. These ideas contribute to the conclusion rendered here: paradigmatic differences cannot be reduced to the simplistic duality of qualitative-quantitative debate, and the use of compatible paradigms is the key to mixing different research methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Liu, 2022. "Paradigmatic Compatibility Matters: A Critical Review of Qualitative-Quantitative Debate in Mixed Methods Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:12:y:2022:i:1:p:21582440221079922
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440221079922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fuhui Tong & Zhuoying Wang & Yue Min & Shifang Tang, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Synthesis of 19 Years of Bilingual Education in Chinese Higher Education: Where Does the Academic Discourse Stand?," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(2), pages 21582440209, May.
    2. Md Hasan, 2016. "Positivism: to what extent does it aid our understanding of the contemporary social world?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 50(1), pages 317-325, January.
    3. Makrakis, Vassilios & Kostoulas-Makrakis, Nelly, 2016. "Bridging the qualitative–quantitative divide: Experiences from conducting a mixed methods evaluation in the RUCAS programme," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 144-151.
    4. R. Burke Johnson & Isabelle Walsh, 2019. "Mixed Grounded Theory: Merging Grounded Theory with Mixed Methods and Multimethod Research," Post-Print halshs-03579864, HAL.
    5. Joanna Sale & Lynne Lohfeld & Kevin Brazil, 2002. "Revisiting the Quantitative-Qualitative Debate: Implications for Mixed-Methods Research," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 43-53, February.
    6. L J Philip, 1998. "Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Social Research in Human Geography—An Impossible Mixture?," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 30(2), pages 261-276, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gjoko Stamenkov, 2023. "Recommendations for improving research quality: relationships among constructs, verbs in hypotheses, theoretical perspectives, and triangulation," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 2923-2946, June.

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