Researcher
Professor Alan Bryman,
University of Loughborough
1 November 2003 - 30 October 2004
Methods Briefing
Context
The growing tendency to conduct research that combines quantitative and qualitative
approaches. The project will systematically examine the different ways that research that
combines the two traditions is characterised both by those who write about social research
and by those who conduct investigations that entail the integration of the two strategies.
Aims and objectives
- to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of the field
with regard to the integration of quantitative and qualitative
research
- to proffer recommendations regarding good practice with respect
to the integration of quantitative and qualitative research
- to identify areas or contexts in which the integration of quantitative
and qualitative research in not obviously beneficial
- to explore an area of research in which quantitative and qualitative
research co-exist as separate research strategies or traditions
and to analyse the prospects for linking the two sets of findings
- to explore some of the discursive practices involved in the
representation of research which integrates the two approaches
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Methodological aspects of importance
The research will contribute to the development of methodology, will enhance our
understanding of multi-strategy research, and will enhance users’ awareness of the
ways quantitative and qualitative research can be combined. These issues have not been
addressed systematically before.
Research Design
The research will be carried out through a combination of:
- traditional content analysis of published research that combines quantitative
and qualitative research and of ways in which such combinations
are discussed
- an examination of discursive strategies involved in assessing the ground
for and implications of combining the two research strategies
- interviews with experienced researchers concerning their use of multi-strategy
research
- interviews with users regarding their expectations of multi-strategy
research
Output
Dissemination will be primarily through a short book and journal articles.
Methods Briefing |
